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?
ECPAT International’s opinion on the topic of child sexual abuse online and the European Commission’s proposal to Combat and Prevent Child Sexual Abuse online. Interview broadcasted in the German MDR/AR media journal.
Available in: German
Available in: English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
From March 4-7, 2024, a transformative workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, convened 113 participants from 34 countries spanning East and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific. The Collective Action: End Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse workshop served as a pivotal gathering that transcended geographical boundaries to address the global crisis of sexual exploitation of children, including in the digital world. Bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, including ECPAT members, Safe Online grantees, nongovernmental organisations and civil society organisations, as well as experts, advocates, practitioners, international organisations, and philanthropic entities from around the world, the workshop marked a significant milestone in the ongoing movement to address the sexual exploitation of children.
This report, synthesising the workshop’s outcomes, serves as a blueprint for ongoing efforts against the sexual exploitation of children. It calls for continued innovation, collaboration, and a unified vision to protect every child from sexual exploitation.
Available in: English
On April 25th and 26th, 2024, ECPAT organised a two-day workshop in Tunis, Tunisia. The workshop brought together 17 participants from diverse grassroots organisations across 14 governorates in Tunisia. Participants came from various backgrounds and thematic areas, all sharing a common interest in combating child sexual exploitation of children. Delegates represented organisations of assorted sizes and focuses, including those working with schools, recreational centres, camps, shelters, case management, and psychological support.
The workshop aimed to enhance strategies against violence towards children, particularly online sexual exploitation and served as a platform for these civil society organisations to discuss trends, achievements, challenges, and perspectives in combating child exploitation.
Read this report for a summary of the workshop’s key takeaways.
Available in: English
On April 22nd and 23rd, 2024, ECPAT organised a two-day workshop in Amman, Jordan. This event brought together 23 participants from 20 diverse local organisations from across Jordan, covering various thematic areas intersecting with child protection from sexual exploitation, including sports, travel and tourism, private sector development, human rights, community development, education, and women’s rights.
The workshop aimed to enhance strategies against violence towards children, particularly in online sexual exploitation and served as a platform for these CSOs to discuss trends, achievements, challenges, and ambitions in combating child exploitation.
Read this report for a summary of the workshop’s key takeaways.
Available in: English
This case study presents the various manifestations of child sexual exploitation identified in Kenya including the drivers leading to child sexual exploitation and the ways that organisations, communities, and children respond.
It should be read in conjunction with the global report which documents the common perceptions, narratives, biases, norms and beliefs associated with child sexual exploitation in the context of a crisis; the current framings and understanding of sexual exploitation of children in the humanitarian sector; and the way that humanitarian aid systems, actors, and structures may impact the identification, response, access to service and prevention of child sexual exploitation.
Available in: English