Child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) along with trafficking and material distribution, is one of the most horrendous crimes that have become one of the most profitable business in the world after drugs trafficking.
The problem has really just took off with the evolution of certain technologies, and the explosion of internet where nearly 52% of the world population has access to it, after thinking the problem was over in the 90’s.
In Australia, the AFP has received more than 4500 reports of child exploitation within the first 5 months of the 2017. Each one of these reports contain hundreds of thousands of images and videos of children being sexually abused and tortured.
250,000 Sex Tourist
People are reported to travel abroad every year to engage in sex with children
Victims Under 10
Several reports from the Europol and other organization’s investigations have determined that 80% of the victims are under 10 years’ old.
Over 5,000 Investigations
In Australia between 2014 and 2015, over 5,000 investigations were completed into confirmed child abuse material
The impact of the crime
Many victims of sexual exploitation report having been beaten and raped and exposed to other forms of physical violence from perpetrators, pimps, traffickers and often police, leading to subsequent health and reproductive problems
The victimization of children can have different manifestations which are strictly interconnected and in many occasions, it is been treated under the same approach.
Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE)
Child prostitution and sexual exploitation of children in travels are part of this issue.
The forced engagement of children in sex commercialization is largely done within the Darknet under anonymity and untraceable transactions.
Perpetrators can get involved within hidden services and not necessarily live in the country, for which they turn into sex tourists.
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
Another manifestation of child sexual abuse is the distribution, acquisition and production of abuse material for commercialization purposes or not at all.
Many perpetrators keep and share material for the pleasure of it, not looking for necessarily financial benefit.
Child trafficking for sexual purposes
This issue happens when a child is recruited or transported in order to be exploited.
This can happen within the same country or abroad, and the circumstances can vary. We can be dealing with home leavers, families that traded their own child for money, or kidnapping cases.
