The online world is moving fast. In the last three decades, our lives have transformed beyond recognition. From days when we were connecting online from old-LAN computers and cell phones, we now find ourselves immersed in an uncontrolled digital revolution, with Artificial Intelligence and the realms of the Metaverse knocking at our screens.
Yet, as our digital world expands, so do its challenges. Beneath the wonders of the online world lies a darker reality, which contains new forms of dangers such as identity theft, data breaches, violence and discrimination. Worst among these harms, child sexual abuse and exploitation is increasing and evolving every year.
Child sexual abuse and exploitation is happening online, often out of our sight, but with real consequences for the children around us. To prevent harm, it is essential to comprehend the workings of the online world and implement measures that safeguard children from online sexual abuse—without resorting to a complete prohibition of internet access or other restrictive measures. It’s about knowing and using a range of methods and tools to both protect and empower children in their digital lives.
With a focus on the tools to prevent child sexual abuse online, ECPAT calls on government officials, tech companies, professionals, and caregivers to unite and activate on this issue. How? The answers lie in becoming aware of the risks and manifestations of child sexual abuse online and learn which tools are available to fight this horrendous crime. It’s a collective responsibility to educate ourselves and act, ensuring children benefit from the internet and are protected from harm.
Meet ECPAT Project Beacon – Putting children’s rights into the heart of digital policy
What do the EU citizens really think about data privacy and child protection online?
How far are we to ensure Child Safety Online in the EU? A timeline of events.
Towards online child protection in the EU
Why Does Online Child Protection Matter? Here is ECPAT Project Beacon to explain why
ECPAT welcomes European Commission’s proposal to prevent and combat child sexual abuse
What is ECPAT doing to ensure Child Safety Online in the EU?
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
The Children Know Better initiative is a pioneering pilot project designed to explore how meaningful child participation can transform the way societies understand, prevent, and respond to the sexual exploitation of children.
Implemented by ECPAT International in partnership with the Association for Community Development in Bangladesh and Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre, the project piloted an innovative model of child-led participatory research, positioning children not as subjects of inquiry but as researchers, analysts, and advocates.
Available in: English
This suite of tools for participatory advocacy accompanies the document Approaches to Youth Advocacy on Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and outlines tools, exercises and session plans for staff from facilitating organisations (facilitators) to use with young people who are engaging in participatory advocacy.
Available in: English