Each year, millions of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse circulate online, causing profound and long-lasting harm to victims and survivors. Despite efforts to tackle this threat, the scale and accessibility of CSAM online continue to pose a major global challenge.
The new report published by Protect Children and Ofcom presents groundbreaking findings from a survey of 20,592 individuals searching for child sexual abuse material online. The research was presented at an event with expert speakers from regulators, law enforcement, and civil society.
Findings from the research:
Early exposure to pornography and CSAM is a major risk factor. By age 18, 65% of respondents had seen pornography, and 59% had seen CSAM. Many reported that their first encounter of CSAM was accidental.
Perpetrators access CSAM across multiple online environments, using both the dark web and popular open web platforms. A third (33%) felt CSAM has become harder to access, particularly in the past five years. 44% perceived no change, and 23% believed it has become easier.
Generative AI is reshaping and exacerbating CSAM perpetration. 35% reported viewing or creating AI-CSAM. Half of these respondents were involved in commissioning or producing AI-CSAM for profit.
Well-designed deterrence messages can reduce engagement with CSAM. 34% of respondents recalled encountering a warning message when searching for CSAM, with many sharing that it prompted them to reflect on or change their behaviour.
"Our research highlights tangible opportunities to reduce risks of offending and increase online child safety. We call for urgent action to strengthen safeguards, implement safety-by-design principles, expand effective moderation, and deploy evidence-based digital interventions that prevent abuse before it escalates" states Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director, Senior Specialist and Psychotherapist at Protect Children.
"I would like to thank Protect Children and Ofcom for this vital research. Such insight is another lever at our disposal to prevent harm online and offline, support victims and survivors, and put predators behind bars." says Jess Phillips MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls in the UK.
"What is clearly shown by this report is just how dangerous exposure, even accidentally, to child sexual abuse material can be, and how the availability of such material puts children at greater and greater risk both on and offline" reflects Kerry Smith, CEO of the Internet Watch Foundation.
"INTERPOL fully supports the publication of this report which provides an unprecedented insight into the psyche, offending patterns and behaviours of perpetrators who target children. The data will help international law enforcement agencies around the globe to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation" shares INTERPOL.
