We need bold and transformative action to end childhood sexual violence online

More than 300 million children were affected by online sexual exploitation and abuse last year. This is a global and borderless crime, and we need urgent, transformative action from states and tech companies to end childhood sexual violence both online and offline. Keep reading to learn more about this pressing global issue and what governments and tech companies must do to resolve it.

The first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children which was hosted in Bogota earlier this month, was an opportunity to put child protection on the global agenda and for governments and other stakeholders to commit to taking action. Importantly, it was also a crucial moment to highlight the risks and harms that children face in the digital world. We cannot achieve a world free from violence against children without addressing the rapidly growing risks and harms in digital spaces. This is because, with technological advancements, the methods of perpetrating violence have also become more complex. Digital platforms can and are being exploited by individuals to sexually abuse or exploit children, and new and emerging risks such as AI-generated imagery depicting child sexual abuse and financial sexual extortion are developing rapidly and further complicating efforts to end childhood sexual violence online. Staggering data from the Childlight institute makes the problem abundantly clear. According to their Into the Light Index which was released earlier this year:

The evidence reminds us of our collective responsibility to provide children and young people with the safe digital world that they deserve. This issue is preventable, not inevitable.

Earlier this year, we presented a joint call to action by survivors and allies, alongside Safe Online and WeProtect Global Alliance, which called on the tech industry and other relevant stakeholders to commit to prevent and end the sexual exploitation and abuse of children online. This call to action featured prominently during our side event at the Global Ministerial Conference in Colombia, titled “Safe Digital Futures for Children: Tackling online harms through joint global action.” Speakers throughout the day contributed their thoughts on addressing this issue, many of which aligned with our call to action as well. Here are our key asks in our call to action, and some highlights of what speakers had to say:

1. Legislation and Regulation

It is crucial for governments to enact and implement globally-aligned legislation and support international standards that prioritize children’s safety and wellbeing, are future-proof, and that are tech-neutral. As shared by UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Omar Abdi,

2. Funding

Prioritizing stable, sustained funding which tackles online child sexual exploitation and abuse is essential to addressing this issue as well. Funding is necessary for frontline responders across sectors, social services, investigators that are trained on survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches, enhancing safety on platforms, knowledge, research and data on present and emerging trends and threats and much more.

Mittito Watson from USAID highlighted the critical role that donors can play:

The importance of funding was also underscored by Alicia Herbert OBE, the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s Director of Education, Gender and Equalities and the UK’s Special Envoy for Gender Equality:

3. Centre the perspectives of children, victims and survivors in the response

The voices of children, victims and survivors are necessary for facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the issue and the design of effective interventions and responses.

As shared by survivor advocate Rhiannon-Faye McDonald:

Another powerful contribution was made by Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, Global technical lead on child online protection at UNICEF, who said:

4. Build public and institutional awareness

Finally, building a comprehensive understanding of child sexual exploitation and abuse online at the highest levels of government and law enforcement, along with public awareness of the issue and how to maintain online safety is crucial.

Ricardo Lins Horta highlighted evidence-based solutions from Brazil:

Throughout the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, the importance of tackling childhood sexual violence online was highlighted by survivors and allies, and governments. 23 governments even pledged to address online safety, in recognition of this escalating crisis.

We have the evidence, the solutions, and a growing global commitment to addressing the issue. Now, we need governments and key stakeholders to deliver and take action. This is crucial in our efforts to build a safe future for children around the world.

Throughout the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, the importance of tackling childhood sexual violence online was highlighted by survivors and allies, and governments. 23 governments even pledged to address online safety, in recognition of this escalating crisis.

We have the evidence, the solutions, and a growing global commitment to addressing the issue. Now, we need governments and key stakeholders to deliver and take action. This is crucial in our efforts to build a safe future for children around the world.

Read our full call to action here.

Watch the full recording of our Safe Digital Futures event: