In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Andrew Carpenter, a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, widely known for his work holding child sexual abuse perpetrators accountable and advocating for systemic reform. Andrew and I have a frank, uncomfortable, and deeply necessary conversation about child sexual abuse, grooming, coercive control, and the institutional failures that continue to endanger children. We explore how child predators use the same grooming tactics as coercive controllers, how technology and AI have dramatically increased access to abuse material, and why legal systems—including family courts—so often fail to protect children and the parents trying to keep them safe. This episode centers the reality that child sexual abuse is not rare, not accidental, and not a crime of opportunity—it is intentional, patterned, and enabled by silence, disbelief, and systemic blind spots. What we cover How child sexual abuse perpetrators groom children, families, and institutions Why all child predators use coercive control and relational grooming tactics The disturbing accessibility of child abuse material online How technology, AI, and social media are being weaponized against children Why most abuse occurs within trusted relationships and family systems The failures of criminal courts and family courts to protect child victims Why lack of physical evidence does not mean abuse did not occur Warning signs, behavioral red flags, and changes parents should not ignore How shame, fear, and silence protect perpetrators—not children What meaningful prevention, accountability, and reform must address Why listen If you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, educator, or advocate, this episode provides critical insight into how child sexual abuse actually operates—and why so many children are disbelieved, retraumatized, or returned to unsafe environments. Andrew’s work exposes how deeply embedded these harms are within systems that claim to protect children, and why uncomfortable conversations are essential to change. Guest bio (short) Andrew Carpenter is a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, specializing in child sexual abuse litigation and survivor advocacy. He is widely recognized for challenging institutional failures, advocating for legal reform, and amplifying survivor voices in cases where children have been silenced or ignored. His work focuses on accountability, deterrence, and systemic change to better protect children. Connect with Andrew Carpenter Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrewcarpentersolicitor Websters Lawyers:https://websterslawyers.com.au/lawyers/andrew-carpenter Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrewcarpentersolicitor?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carpenter-041456123/ Connect with Dr. Christine Protective Parenting Program:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/ Official site:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videos TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolIf this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review- it helps other survivors and protective parents find validation and safety. -Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Andrew Carpenter
