Com groups

An emerging online threat to young people, both as victims and perpetrators. Note: includes details of serious violence and sexual abuse.

This course provides an understanding and definition of what Com groups are and how they operate, before covering the three major harm types: sextortion, offline, and cyber, and the key points of how each harm operates, to gain understanding and see how the training relates to the real world.

We cover safeguarding and intervention-related topics, such as alpha victims and understanding what non-ideological extremism is.

The session will consider vulnerabilities and warning signs for both young people who are becoming victims of Com group harm, as well as young people engaging in committing harm. We'll look at current convictions, law enforcement operations, and the implications of the landmark June 2026 UK conviction, to highlight what is and can be done to counter these issues.

Learning objectives

• Understand what Com groups are and how they operate
• Understand how the three types of harm operate
• Identify vulnerabilities and warning signs for both victims and perpetrators
• Understand the concepts of non-ideological extremism and alpha victims
• Consider a current conviction and its implications for tackling Com groups in the future

This session will be led by Stella Frangleton.

Attendance

• If you no longer wish to attend this event, please cancel on Eventbrite
• If you do not attend without cancelling beforehand you may be charged a £20 fine
• We aim to create a respectful and productive learning environment and reserve the right to refuse entry if this cannot be upheld

Joining Instructions

After booking a place, you will receive an email from Eventbrite two days before the event containing the Microsoft Teams link for the online training.

Further reminders will be sent by Eventbrite containing the Teams link:

• 2 hours before the event
• 10 minutes before the event