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Nearly half of survey respondents from the Middle East and North Africa have experienced online sexual harm at least once in their childhood
A new global study shows that this epidemic has led to a significant increase in the sexual exploitation and abuse of children online.
Following the shocking revelations of the 2021 Global Threat Assessment Report released by the WeProtect Global Alliance, experts called for an urgent change in the global response to this global issue.
According to the survey, nearly one-half (44%) of respondents from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) stated that they had experienced at least one online sexual injury during their childhood.
In addition, the assessment also highlighted the Covid-19 pandemic as an undeniable factor that led to the surge in reported incidents.
The WeProtect Global Alliance is a global movement of more than 200 governments, private sector companies, and civil society organizations that work together to change the global response to online child sexual exploitation and abuse. It released the 2021 Global Threat Assessment on Monday.
As part of the report, a global child experience study completed by The Economist Impact surveyed more than 5,000 young people (18-20 years old) in 54 countries/regions.
More than one-third (34%) of respondents were asked to do things online that they felt uncomfortable with during childhood.
Main findings in the report
According to assessments, online reports of child sexual exploitation and abuse have reached the highest level in the past two years. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alone handles 60,000 online child sexual abuse reports every year. day.
According to the report, the increase in children’s “self-reproduction” materials is another trend that challenges existing response models. The Internet Observation Foundation has observed that from 2019 to 2020, children’s “self-reproduction” materials have increased by 77%.
A spokesperson for Lt-Col Dana Humaid, Director of the International Affairs Bureau of the UAE Ministry of Interior, said: “The challenge of linear exploitation and sexual abuse is a global scale crime that requires multidisciplinary collaboration and efforts to combat and end it.”
She added: “We believe that the release of the 2021 Global Threat Assessment Report is an opportunity to reflect and prioritize efforts and interact with the international community and share our experience and practices. The government can use this report to guide their work.”
The report also includes a survey of technology companies that shows that most companies are using tools to detect child sexual abuse materials (87% use image “hash matching”), but currently only 37% use tools to detect online retouching .
Discoveries from the Arab world
Although the Middle East and North Africa percentage is one of the lowest in the world, it is still a key issue that requires urgent attention.
Iain Drennan, Executive Director of WeProtect Global Alliance, said: “The Internet has become the core of children’s lives around the world, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He added: “In the past two years, we have observed an increase in the scale and complexity of online child sexual abuse. This report should be a wake-up call for all of us; we must work together to strengthen the global response and create for all children A safer digital world.”
The report also details the scale and scope of online child sexual exploitation threats and aims to encourage action on the issue to reduce the risk to children and prevent abuse before it occurs.
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Drennan said: “Prevention needs to be prioritized. Although strong law enforcement and judicial responses are essential, a truly sustainable strategy must include active prevention of abuse. It is necessary to ensure that a safe online environment is created so that children can thrive.
The main contents of the report include:
· Overall, 57% of female respondents and 48% of male respondents reported at least one linear injury
· 57% of disability respondents have experienced cyber injuries, compared to 48% of non-disabled respondents
· 39% of racial or ethnic minority respondents will delete or block people who send them sexually explicit content, compared to 51% of non-minority respondents.
· 17% of racial or ethnic minority respondents had conversations with trusted adults or peers about content, compared with 24% of non-minority respondents
Danusha Gukulan
Dhanusha Gokulan is from India and has been working as a journalist for more than ten years. For Khaleej Times, she reports on NRI affairs, civil aviation and immigration issues. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism, economics and English literature from Mangalore University in 2008, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in contemporary media leadership and innovation at the American University in Dubai. In her spare time, she gets involved in singing/song writing, loves food, and is the mother of an over-enthusiastic Labrador Retriever. On her Twitter @shootsprintrite.
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