Call for Tech that Protects Children
Stop livestreamed child abuse before it starts
The UK is in the top three global consumers of livestreamed child sexual abuse (UK NCA). We're calling for tech that protects children.
Livestreamed sexual abuse is now the main form of commercial sexual exploitation of children (Europol). Men who abuse children online are more likely to go on to abuse children in person (Childlight).
Livestreamed abuse sees offenders in places like the UK pay to watch and direct the sexual abuse of children over live video calls, with the abuse frequently taking place in countries like the Philippines. Children urgently need protection from this abuse.
New AI-driven, on-device detection technology could disrupt livestreamed abuse, preventing offenders from livestreaming child abuse in the first place, and making children everywhere safer.
Write to your MP today, calling on them to enact legislation that makes it a requirement for all devices sold in the UK to include these on-device safeguards:
Many of the children are extremely young: 40% of those brought to safety by IJM and local police in the Philippines are under 12 — some just babies and toddlers. The harm caused to children whose sexual abuse is directed and watched live by offenders is unimaginable.
Livestreamed abuse is happening on everyday platforms with video-call functionality, facilitated through devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. But it’s largely going undetected.
Ruby* in the Philippines knows the pain of livestreamed abuse.
At just 16 years old, Ruby was tricked by a false job offer and trapped in a situation of brutal exploitation. Her abuse was streamed live via video call for sex offenders in places like the UK to watch.
After two months, Ruby was brought to safety by IJM and the Philippine police and supported to achieve justice against her abusers.
She's now a survivor leader, advocating internationally alongside IJM for stronger protection of children.
Ruby recently featured on ITV News, in a powerful headline interview with news anchor Julie Etchingham.
“We are hugely in Ruby’s debt because of the courage that she had in speaking out.” – Julie Etchingham.
Using IJM’s template, it will only take you 2 minutes to write to your MP now.
Call on the UK Government to legislate for vital new safeguards and ensure tech protects children:
Data shows that vulnerable children are being exploited and sexually abused across the world, every second of every day... More needs done to prevent it happening in the first place.
Last year, the UK Government pledged to tackle online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, with a focus on implementing robust legislation, and leveraging AI technology to detect and prevent online child sexual abuse.
It has never been more important to remind our government of their commitment.
As one survivor put it, “Children’s safety is our responsibility.”
Scale of Harm: Estimating the Prevalence of Trafficking to Produce Child Sexual Exploitation Material in the Philippines
Learn More »
Paradigm Shift: Preventing Livestreamed Abuse of Children - Findings from the United Kingdom
Learn More »Are you a policy maker wanting to learn more about how to prevent livestreamed abuse of children? Please email [email protected]
*Pseudonym. Images portray actors