2KNOW Project Webinar and Training Series
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Project 2KNOW
Knowledge to Prevent (2KNOW)
Project 2KNOW aims to support and improve national and international data collection on violence against children by developing a sustainable and replicable data collection model that is suited to gathering information about online sexual violence against children.
Protect Children Leads New Innovative EU-Funded Project to Prevent Online Sexual Violence Against Children
Helsinki-based child protection organization, Suojellan Lapsia, Protect Children ry., kicks-off European Commission-funded two-year project, Knowledge to Prevent (2KNOW) - Protecting Children from Online Crimes of Sexual Violence, together with the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the University of Eastern Finland. Project 2KNOW aim to improve data collection on violence against children and to offer a scalable parental peer support model for carers of child victims of sexual abuse.
Project 2KNOW aims to support and improve national and international data collection on violence against children by developing a sustainable and replicable data collection model that is suited to gathering information about online sexual violence against children.
Through the project, data will be directly gathered from anonymous offenders searching for child sexual abuse material on the dark web and the surface web, to gain a better understanding of the patterns, characteristics, and trends of online crimes of sexual violence against children today.
The findings of the 2KNOW research will be translated into direct preventative action to protect children from harm, through the development of a support guide for parents on online safety skills for children and a guide for parents whose child has been subjected to sexual violence online.
Project 2KNOW will also produce a model for parental peer-support groups to provide practical and psychoeducational support for parents, carers, and families - in turn providing essential support to child victims to protect them from further abuse.
The project will also collect invaluable information on child victims’ and their families’ experiences to broaden the understanding of online sexual violence against children.
Preliminary Findings from Anonymous Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenders in the Dark Web
Through a comprehensive survey, 2KNOW Project has discovered unprecedented insights into the backgrounds and motivations of individuals committing offenses related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM). By gaining a better understanding of the offenders' perspectives, the project seeks to inform policymakers, the tech industry, and civil society about the most effective ways to prevent and tackle online sexual violence against children. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the root causes of online sexual violence against children.
Key findings:
A sexual interest in children is identified as the main reason behind viewing CSAM, alongside other factors like emotional self-regulation needs and desensitisation to pornography.
There is a potential link between habitual consumption of adult pornography and the eventual consumption of CSAM, indicating a dangerous progression.
Respondents showed a preference for material depicting the abuse of children aged 11–14, primarily girls, revealing specific victim demographics.
Many individuals involved in CSAM consumption reported experiencing adverse situations in their own childhoods, underscoring the importance of child protection and support.
Most survey respondents have not been criminally charged for violent or sexual offenses, highlighting the covert nature of CSAM offenses and the need for comprehensive prevention strategies.
A sense of optimism is noted among respondents about the possibility of ceasing CSAM use, pointing towards potential for intervention and rehabilitation.
Funding
Project 2KNOW is funded by the European Commission’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) under the 2022 call for proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children (CERV-2022-DAPHNE).
What drives online child sexual abuse offending? We asked 4,549 child sexual abuse material offenders
The groundbreaking new report, released as part of Project 2KNOW, reveals the intricate web of factors that drive online child sexual abuse offending. The report offers critical insights into the motivations, facilitators, situational factors, and barriers that influence individuals to engage in CSAM-related crimes.
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