Public Opinion is Clear: Urgent Legislation Required to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation! Read the story

What Can You Do to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Online?

Protecting Children Online: Exploring the Tactic of Prevention

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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.

As the digital world hasn’t been designed with child safety in mind, we must do everything we can to patch up this flaw.

Take a Stand for Child Safety Online!

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.  

Preventing harm online requires a mix of solutions, including being aware of the issue and its risks, ensuring professional training, listening openly to children’s experiences online, and using technological tools to protect children online. 

Scroll Down to Learn how to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Online!

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.  

It’s time to break the silence and protect children online. Together, we can create a digital landscape where children thrive in safety, free from the shadows that threaten their well-being.

Take Action Now and Learn How to Protect Children Online!

Nigeria — Country Overview

The ECPAT Country Overview on Nigeria provides a comprehensive summary of all forms of sexual exploitation of children in the country, assessing achievements and challenges in implementing counteractions to eliminate this issue. It suggests concrete priority actions urgently needed to proactively advance the national fight against sexual exploitation of children.

The ECPAT Country Overview for Nigeria also incorporates insights from fourteen key informants, including representatives from civil society organisations working in child protection, organisations supporting child survivors and those aiding children in conflict areas, law enforcement professionals and government representatives.

by ECPAT International in 2024

Available in: English

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Collective Action to End Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: South Asia Regional Workshop Outcome Report

From August 26–29, 2024, ECPAT International convened the South Asia Regional Workshop on Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Kathmandu, Nepal. This workshop brought together over 60 participants from civil society, international agencies, government entities, and youth advocates to address the urgent issue of child sexual exploitation across the region. 

This report captures the key discussions, findings, and recommendations from the event, offering insights into how emerging trends like technology, migration, and climate change are shaping children’s vulnerabilities. It is a vital resource for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates working to combat child sexual exploitation and build a safer future for all children in South Asia.

by ECPAT International in 2024

Available in: English

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Global Boys Initiative Case Study: Los Angeles, USA

The case study conducted with My Friend’s Place in Los Angeles, USA, looks at how to work with boys and male youth affected by sexual exploitation and abuse in situations of homelessness and marginalization.

by ECPAT International in 2024

Available in: English

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Collective Action to End Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regional Workshop: West, Central, and North Africa Outcome Report

From May 27-31, 2024, ECPAT International, in collaboration with key partners, hosted the Collective Action: End Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regional Workshop in Saly, Senegal. The workshop aimed to galvanise regional efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in West, Central, and North Africa.

This report captures the rich insights, challenges, and promising practices shared during the workshop. It serves as a vital resource for guiding future actions and shaping a unified approach towards combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse, including in the digital world.

by ECPAT International in 2024

Available in: English, French

Voices of survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse on justice and effective remedies

Everyone who has suffered child sexual exploitation or abuse has the right to rebuild their lives and find a path towards healing. Access to justice and effective remedies can be an important step on that path.

ECPAT advocates for justice and remedies for survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse. In the past decade, ECPAT has had conversations with 185 survivors in 16 countries to understand the barriers they experienced in accessing justice through the formal justice system. The findings and expertise built through such work allow victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse who have attempted access to formal justice to have their voices heard. Their voices clearly demonstrate the specificities of justice issues for children who are the victim of this particular crime.

by ECPAT International in 2024

Available in: English

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Role of Police in Prevention – The Philippines Case Study

Recent international standards have evolved to emphasise the police and justice sector’s role in preventing violence against children, including sexual abuse and exploitation. However, there remains a gap in evidence regarding international police cooperation for effectively preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of children, highlighting the need for further development and collaboration.

This case study documents information on existing practices and localised approaches in the Philippines, as well as identifying challenges and recommendations for implementing and supporting crime prevention strategies.

This study is part of a global literature review on existing practices and successful approaches related to the preventive role of the police, especially concerning child sexual abuse and exploitation.

by ECPAT International in 2024

Available in: English

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