Blurred Images Do Not Protect Victims: A Call to Stop Using Images of Victims in Child Sexual Abuse Reporting
- Protect Children
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 21
STATEMENT - Available in English, German, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, & Croatian
This statement addresses the disturbing phenomenon of news media outlets using blurred images of victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) in news posts and articles. While blurring images may appear to satisfy legal requirements for privacy, the emotional and psychological damage it may cause to the victim is rarely considered. Protect Children advocates strongly for the protection of the rights to safety and privacy of children by calling for an end to the use of images of victims, blurred or not, in news articles.
Read the Statement (All Language Versions)
About this Statement
This statement from child-rights NGO, Protect Children is addressing the use of images of child sexual abuse (CSA) victims in news posts and articles, both blurred and unblurred. This statement has been written by Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director, Psychotherapist, Katariina Leivo, Senior Specialist, Noora Nieminen, Research Assistant, & a Child Victim of Child Sexual Abuse.
Protect Children
Protect Children is a non-governmental child-rights organisation based in Finland, working globally to end all forms of sexual violence against children. We adopt a holistic, research-based approach to address the issue from multiple angles, advocating for victims, survivors, and families; equipping children and young people with essential skills and knowledge to stay safe online and offline; developing offender-focused prevention measures; and conducting innovative research to better understand the issue. Learn more about Protect Children: www.protectchildren.fi/en
Translation support for this statement has been given by the Polish Platform for Homeland Security and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children Croatia.
 |  |
This statement is supported by the following organisations:
