Child Focus notices that children and teenagers are under more and more pressure. The number of disappearance cases has remained fairly stable over the years, but the number of sexual exploitation cases has risen sharply due to new social phenomena such as non-consensual sexting, sextortion and grooming, or even the online dissemination of child sexual abuse images. 

Child Focus was founded following the Dutroux case and the White March to provide support to victims of disappearances and sexual exploitation and their close ones. From the beginning, the organisation could count on a unique cooperation protocol with the police and the public prosecutor's office, which has grown into a solid partnership. Since this cooperation protocol, the organisation and the Missing Persons Unit count far fewer long-term missing children, which indicates a well-functioning collaboration. Child Focus also works closely with emergency services, all kinds of organisations and private players such as technology companies like Google, Microsoft and Meta. 

Enormous solidarity 25 years on 

25 years later, the organisation still feels the same tremendous solidarity with victims and their close ones as it did during the White March. When a child goes missing, Child Focus mobilises the community and calls for active participation by sharing the search messages on social media or looking out for the missing child in the neighbourhood. This community involvement is also invaluable in spreading awareness and prevention campaigns. 

Embracing changing challenges 

Since its foundation in 1998, Child Focus has continued to respond to the ever-changing challenges, needs and trends in child disappearance and sexual exploitation, offline and online. The focus in the early years was operational, helping and supporting victims and their close ones. In recent years, the focus has increasingly been on prevention, awareness, research and policy work. Prevention is, therefore, the fastest growing pillar of Child Focus. In 25 years, the organisation has developed expertise in the themes it deals with and shares this through prevention tools and training for children, teenagers, parents and professionals. 

Moreover, technology is so much further ahead than it was 25 years ago. The phenomena Child Focus works on, such as sexual abuse of minors, non-consensual sexting, grooming and sextortion, are increasingly influenced by technological developments. Tackling technology with technology is, therefore, the message for the future: do not run away from these technological developments, but use them innovatively. Child Focus emphasises the importance of preventively guiding children in this connected world so they learn to keep it fun and safe and to seek help from an adult person of trust, their Max if things go wrong. 

Anniversary at the Atomium in Brussels 

Child Focus celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Atomium in Brussels. In the morning, a session of the collaborative game Max 24/7 took place in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Mathilde and elementary school children. This was followed by a ceremony in the presence of the police, the public prosecutor's office, assistance, ministers and victims of disappearances and sexual exploitation and their relatives. The Atomium also welcomed 150 children who could participate in numerous activities such as the collaborative game Max 24/7, the Max climbing wall, stories told by Child Focus consultants, creative workshops, and more. Throughout the day, partners and volunteers of the organisation also participated in these various activities. 

Find out more about the work and initiatives of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.