Through the Lens: Insights into Image-Based Child Sexual Violence.
- Protect Children
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
NEW REPORT
Globally, an estimated one in eight children is a victim of image-based child sexual violence. Our new report examines this growing and evolving threat. It seeks to deepen understanding of how image-based sexual violence manifests, amplifies the voices and experiences of victims and survivors, and highlights the urgent need for improved prevention and protection measures in Central Asia and beyond.
This report was prepared by Valeriia Soloveva , Eva Díaz Bethencourt , Emily C. May , Elisavet Antoniou , Marine Aragones , Tegan Insoll, Anna K. Ovaska , and Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen.
Key Findings
Normalisation of Early Exposure to Sexual Content
Children are growing up in online spaces saturated with sexualised and explicit content, where constant exposure is reshaping their perceptions of what is normal and acceptable.
Escalation of Peer-on-Peer Image-Based Sexual Violence
As exposure to sexual content becomes normalised, peer-on-peer and child-on-child image-based sexual violence is increasing.
Diversification of Image-Based Child Sexual Violence
Rapid technological innovation has multiplied the forms image-based child sexual violence can take, from AI-generated imagery to live-streamed abuse and virtual exploitation.
Commercialisation of Image-Based Child Sexual Violence
The production and circulation of CSAM is increasingly driven by financial gain, with offenders purchasing, trading, and extorting sexual content involving children.
Hybridisation of Harms
Image-based child sexual violence now overlaps with other online harms, including radicalisation, organised abuse networks, and digital coercion.
The report contains a comprehensive glossary of terms related to sexual violence against children – check it out now! |
About Project Lens:
Project Lens is an initiative led by Protect Children in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland, which aims to understand and prevent emerging forms of image-based sexual violence against children. Project Lens will build a robust knowledge base to inform and implement a comprehensive, system-wide response to existing and emerging forms of image-based sexual violence against children. Learn more: https://www.suojellaanlapsia.fi/en/project-lens
About the funder:
Safe Online is the only global investment vehicle dedicated to keeping children safe in the digital world. Through investing in innovation and bringing key actors together, Safe Online helps shape a digital world that is safe and empowering for all children and young people, everywhere. Learn more: https://safeonline.global/
