Online grooming survivor backs new PSNI and SBNI campaign to warn young people of digital dangers

Love Ballymena
Aug 15
3 min read

A teenager who bravely became the first to report serial online groomer Max Hollingsbee has spoken out to support a new campaign by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) warning of the dangers posed by predators in online spaces.

The initiative, backed by the Department of Health, uses real-life victim stories and hard-hitting footage from the BBC documentary series Teen Predator/Online Killer, which investigated prolific abuser Alexander McCartney from Newry.

McCartney’s offending was linked to the suicide of a 12-year-old girl in the United States, who took her own life after being targeted.

The campaign is aimed at young people, parents, carers, and communities, encouraging victims to seek help and alerting the public to the warning signs of grooming.

Rising tide of offences in Northern Ireland

Statistics reveal a troubling rise in online sexual crimes against children. In 2024, the PSNI recorded:

2,187 sexual offences against children
187 offences relating specifically to grooming and sexual communication with a child
799 offences involving the creation, possession, sharing or publishing of indecent images of children

The Child Internet Protection Team – the PSNI’s dedicated unit tackling online child abuse – is facing its highest workload since its creation in 2010. Last year alone, detectives carried out 120 searches linked to tens of thousands of indecent images, seized thousands of devices, and made 43 arrests.

Immy’s story – from fear to action

Immy (not her real name), now 18, was just 15 when she was contacted by Hollingsbee through the social app Wizz. He posed as a boy her own age, quickly building trust before pressuring her into sharing intimate images.

“At the time I was a relatively awkward 15-year-old girl… When this good looking guy my age showed interest in me and complimented me, I felt special. But, it went zero to 100 within one day of chatting.”

The conversation quickly turned sexual. Hollingsbee manipulated her into sending intimate images and then threatened to share them unless she sent more. He accessed her Snapchat account, distributing images to a friend, leaving her terrified.

“I ran into my mum’s room and just remember collapsing into her arms and crying… Although I was so embarrassed to show my mum I have never regretted for a second speaking out and getting help.”

By reporting the abuse, Immy triggered an investigation that uncovered 13 more victims. Her actions ultimately helped bring Hollingsbee to justice.

‘Predators are skilled manipulators’

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gilbert

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gilbert, from PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, explained how groomers operate:

“They conceal their identity online pretending to be the same age as a child… Once trust is established, they use power and control to blackmail, guilt, or trick a child into doing what they want.”

Signs that a child may be being groomed include:

Sudden secrecy online or time spent away from home
Unexplained gifts
Friendships with much older people
Unusual sexual knowledge or language
Emotional changes such as withdrawal, anxiety or depression

‘No child should ever feel alone’

Independent SBNI Chair Bernie McNally stressed the importance of open communication:

“Our message is clear: let your child know they can always come to you… If a child has been made to do something they didn’t want to online, they are not to blame, they are not in trouble, and they are not alone.”

A government-backed effort

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt described the campaign as “an important step in raising awareness of the risks, starting vital conversations, and helping parents, carers and communities take action to keep children safe in the digital world”.

It forms part of the Executive’s Online Safety Strategy and a newly updated action plan.