The discourse surrounding child protection has evolved significantly, yet a critical gap remains regarding online child sexual abuse. Victims, both children and survivors, face immense trauma as images and videos depicting their abuse—ranging from rape to sexual torture—are widely shared across the internet. Despite repeated pleas for intervention, the cries for help from these victims continue to fall on deaf ears, leaving countless children vulnerable.
Legislative inaction exacerbates child exploitation
The proposed Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, introduced by the European Commission in 2022, aims to bolster efforts against child sexual abuse online. This draft legislation mandates technology companies to implement measures preventing child sexual abuse on their platforms, including the detection and removal of abusive material, all while respecting user privacy. Although some companies have taken voluntary steps, this approach is insufficient.
Designed to protect both children and adults from encountering abusive content, the regulation has faced a protracted political stalemate, delaying the urgent adoption of these protective measures. During this time, children continue to be groomed, exploited, and victimized online. The prevalence of child sexual abuse on familiar platforms is alarming, as offenders exploit the immediacy of social media to distribute abusive images rapidly.
Impact of technology on child safety
While advancements in artificial intelligence present new possibilities, they have also equipped criminals with tools to perpetuate harm. Disturbingly, last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported over 20.5 million cases of suspected child sexual abuse, with 12.4 million unique images. Each image represents a child whose trauma is aggravated by the relentless dissemination of their suffering—and many survivors live in dread of being recognized from these depictions.
In Europe, alarming statistics reveal that one in five children experience some form of sexual abuse, and many incidents remain unreported, highlighting a significant undercurrent of silent suffering. With the rapid expansion of internet access and the introduction of new technologies, the facilitation and distribution of child abuse material have intensified. A lack of robust safeguards across tech platforms contributes to an environment where exploitation can flourish.
“Europe must hear the voices of children and act now. Online child sexual abuse won’t stop until leaders step up.”
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Reports of grooming have surged by 300 percent in just the past year, with over 170,000 instances of child sexual abuse images reported daily. As temporary measures allowing companies to voluntarily identify abusive content are set to expire in April 2026, the potential for further delays threatens to leave children even more exposed.
This week, ECLAG, a coalition dedicated to child protection in the EU, is amplifying the voices of children in their fight against sexual violence. Two key events serve as a rallying point for EU citizens, urging national leaders to back vital online child protection laws. A visual showcase in Brussels aims to illustrate the plight of European children who have suffered due to political inaction, represented by an empty schoolroom that symbolizes their lost potential.
The stories of individuals like Alba, a young girl from Sweden who faced grooming and exploitation at nine, highlight the real-world implications of legislative delays. These narratives will be the focus of an upcoming high-level discussion involving EU policymakers and industry representatives, aimed at breaking the legislative deadlock and achieving tangible solutions.
A comprehensive and cohesive approach to EU legislation is essential to combat child sexual abuse online effectively. Decision-makers must prioritize the creation of robust laws that prevent the internet from becoming a sanctuary for offenders and ensure that the safety and privacy of children are upheld.
While the voices of survivors echo throughout the digital landscape, their cries for assistance must not go ignored. The time for decisive action is now; lawmakers are called upon to implement the necessary protections to shield children from abuse, both online and offline. With the right measures in place, the EU has the capability to prevent further harm, and it is imperative that this opportunity is not squandered.
To learn how you can support children and victims of abuse, please visit the ECLAG website.