Don’t hesitate to report any signs of child sexual exploitation to protect the child and assist in stopping offenders. Follow these guidelines:
- Don’t keep doubts to yourself! Reporting helps authorities safeguard children.
- Don’t underestimate the value of your report! Any information you provide, no matter how limited, can be crucial.
- Avoid investigating independently! Gather facts and report without assumptions to avoid hindering any investigations.
Child Sexual Exploitation during Travel and Tourism
What to Do
Children commonly face sexual exploitation while traveling. If you witness such cases:
- Contact Embassy/ Consulate Internal Security Agents or Liaison Officers
- Report on dontlookaway.report or utilize the app to inform authorities.
Collaborating with law enforcement agencies allows for the enforcement of laws against offenders beyond borders.
If the situation occurs in a workplace, discuss it with your supervisor and follow the company’s reporting procedures.
In Emergencies
In immediate police assistance situations, dial 112 or 17 for help.
Professionals can report to designated agencies for necessary action.
Combatting Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Due to the rise in online child sexual exploitation, report any abusive content using the designated platform or button.
Support ACCCE in its efforts to prevent online child exploitation. Report any concerning activities to the eSafety Commissioner and seek assistance if needed.
If affected by child sexual abuse or online exploitation, visit support websites for help.
If a Child is in Danger
Gather evidence before reporting if a child is at risk. Provide details of conversations, social media profiles, URLs, dates, and times for effective intervention.
The eSafety Commissioner offers guidance on evidence collection.
Reporting Online Exploitation
Document the details of online exploitation, including grooming, live streaming, and sharing abusive content, to aid investigations.
Reporting Child Abuse Materials Online
Report any child abuse materials found online to the eSafety Commissioner for swift removal.
Reporting Image-Based Abuse
Unauthorized sharing of intimate images is a serious offense. Report any such incidents to law enforcement.
eSafety Commissioner Addresses Cyberbullying
Report cyberbullying incidents to have threatening content removed.
Join the Effort to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation in Travel
Report any instances of child sexual exploitation to authorities or the AFP.
Reporting Cybercrime
For assistance and advice regarding cybercrime, report to ReportCyber or ScamWatch.
Recognizing and Reporting Scams
ScamWatch provides information on recognizing and reporting scams.
Support ACCCE in Combating Online Child Exploitation
Report incidents to help take action and support the fight against abuse.
If you suspect child abuse, take action. Report situations where children exhibit signs of abuse or danger.
- Observe warning signs of abuse
- Report if a child discloses abuse by an individual or another child engaging in harmful behavior
- Inform if an individual admits to committing sexual harm against a child
- Report if an adult acknowledges sexually abusing a child
- Notify authorities if child sexual abuse materials (child pornography) are discovered online
- Contact local child protection services if there are suspicions of sexual abuse by an adult caring for a child
- Notify local police if the suspected abuse involves an adult not in a caregiving role
Concerns regarding child sexual abuse images can be reported to local police or cyber crime tiplines.
Resources:
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers By State (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
Access a list of state phone numbers for reporting child abuse.
Childhelp (1.800.4ACHILD)
Receive 24/7 assistance in 170 languages to address child abuse queries. Calls are anonymous and confidential.
CyberTipline (1.800.843.5678) (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
Utilize the national hotline to report internet safety concerns.
INHOPE: International Association of Internet Hotlines
Refer to the international resource directory for reporting problematic online content.
HSI actively works to combat child exploitation, a crime that targets the most vulnerable in our society, children. With technological advancements and increased internet accessibility, children face greater risks today.
HSI agents and analysts globally collaborate to combat this threat, working with others to protect children and apprehend predators.
Victim recovery is a top priority, ensuring they receive the necessary care for healing. Initiatives like Project iGuardian focus on educating the public to prevent such crimes.
Understanding Child Exploitation
Children are often exploited by individuals they trust, whether known in person or through online interactions over time.
Exploiters manipulate and coerce minors into engaging in sexual activities in-person or online, creating, sharing, and accessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) globally, further victimizing children each time the content circulates.
Perpetrators engage in international travel for unlawful sexual activities, taking advantage of easy global mobility.
No child is immune to exploitation.
Child exploitation has profound, lasting effects, necessitating our vigilance in protecting children.
It is important for parents, caregivers, and communities to be aware of the signs of child exploitation and to report any suspicions to the authorities.
Educating children about online safety, boundaries, and consent is crucial in preventing exploitation and empowering them to seek help if needed.
Supporting organizations that work to combat child exploitation and providing resources for survivors is key in addressing this issue effectively.
Strategies to Combat Child Exploitation
HSI employs a variety of strategies to fight child exploitation, leveraging investigations, technology, partnerships, and education to rescue victims and apprehend offenders.
How HSI Takes Action
HSI disrupts the distribution of CSAM, prevents livestream abuse, identifies victims, and dismantles predator networks worldwide.
- HSI’s Victim Identification Laboratory utilizes AI to locate victims and gather intel on predators.
- Operations target predators distributing CSAM and engaging in sextortion.
- Arrests are made for sharing CSAM online across platforms and through peer-to-peer trading.
- International collaboration helps combat child sex tourism.
Focus on Victim Rescue
HSI prioritizes victim rescue, providing support and assistance throughout the criminal justice process.
Educational Initiatives
Projects like Project iGuardian and Know2Protect campaigns aim to educate individuals to ensure online safety for children, teenagers, and families.
Global Collaboration
Collaboration between law enforcement, NGOs, parents, educators, and the public internationally is crucial in combating child exploitation.
Collaboration is Key
Collaboration plays a vital role in the fight against child exploitation. Support efforts by staying informed, reporting suspicions, and aiding in efforts against predators.
Active participation is essential in safeguarding children from exploitation.
Steps to Take
Be conscious of online threats to children, monitor their online activities, and educate them on online safety.
Combat predatory behavior online to shield children from harm.
About the Problem
Child sexual abuse material comprises images, videos, and live footage of children being exploited sexually. Content varies from suggestive images to explicit sexual assault. This material is shared globally, increasing the demand for more extreme content.
In an Australian Context
As children access the internet through various devices, risks such as cyberbullying and online grooming escalate. Recent reports highlight Australian involvement in child sexual abuse, underscoring the need for online safety education and awareness.
Advice for Parents and Caregivers
- Ensure your child’s social media account is private or adjust settings to control who can view photos and posts.
- Decline any requests from strangers.
- Have conversations with your child about the sites, apps, and online chat services they use, and explore them together.
- Establish an open, trusting relationship so they feel comfortable approaching you if something seems amiss.
Recognize the warning signals:
What You Should Do:
- We encourage the community to stay vigilant online.
- If you suspect or witness anything related to online child sexual abuse, report it promptly for necessary action.
- The community’s involvement is crucial in preventing and combating crime.
- Reporting such crimes aids in shutting down illicit content and apprehending perpetrators.
- Parents should closely monitor their child’s online activities. If anything appears suspicious or uncomfortable, speak up.
- Most online crimes have bystanders, making it essential for parents and caregivers to report what they observe.
- Prevention is key, so parents should monitor their child’s online behavior and educate them on recognizing warning signs.
- Report child sexual abuse material to the Office of eSafety at www.esafety.gov.au/reportillegalcontent
If you have information or suspicions regarding someone producing, downloading, or distributing child sexual abuse material, report it to Crime Stoppers online or call 1800 333 000.