INTERPOL report: Impact of COVID-19 on child sexual abuse online

According to the International Criminal Police Organization’s (INTERPOL) assessment report ‘Threats and Trends Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, COVID-19 impact’ some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic include an increase in child sexual material online, including discussions on child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) forums on the darknet and under reporting of child sexual abuse.

The report suggests recommendations for law enforcement to address additional threats presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the report, INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said ‘What the report shows is that we are seeing just the tip of a growing iceberg in terms of online child exploitation material’.