On 18 November, the European Day for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, Child Focus (the Belgian Safer Internet Centre) placed a children's version of Lady Justice in front of the Antwerp Palace of Justice to draw more attention and recognition to victims. Year after year, the number of abuse images of children is increasing worldwide. It is no longer a hidden phenomenon, but an emergency. More than 100 million abuse images were reported in 2023 (*1). Behind every image is a child who was abused and may still be. Each time an image is shared, the victim experiences the abuse all over again.
The child version of Lady Justice is asking for more attention for all victims, who can also leave their first name on a special website.
Child Focus chose the entrance of the Antwerp Palace of Justice because it is the building where the trial of Sven Pichal took place. Pichal is a former Radio 2 presenter who was sentenced to 3 years of prison because he acquired, possessed and distributed child pornography and images of sexual abuse of minors. Little Lady Justice stands before the judicial building, calling for better recognition, prevention and justice for all young victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
At the same time, Child Focus has launched a website: littleladyjustice.be, where victims of sexual abuse and exploitation can anonymously share their first name and age at the time of the abuse, giving a voice to a suffering too often passed over in silence.
As a society, we can no longer ignore these figures
Every second, 3 images of child sexual abuse are shared online (*1). Approaching children online for sexual purposes increased by 300 per cent between 2021 and 2023 (*1). Last year, Child Focus received 2,421 reports (*2) of child sexual abuse images through its civil contact point, an increase of 32 per cent on the previous year.
“We are faced with a worldwide explosion in the number of cases of sexual exploitation and abuse of children. As a society, we can no longer ignore these figures. Children need us, as more and more of them are being sexually exploited online. Everyone needs to be aware of this form of abuse and exploitation, and that specific prevention is needed to prevent children from becoming victims. A stricter legislative framework at European level is also necessary so that platforms assume their responsibilities.” Nel Broothaerts, CEO of Child Focus.
Child sexual abuse and technology go hand in hand
The sexual exploitation of children is increasing in severity and violence, and is affecting younger and younger children. 87 per cent of reported images concern children under 11, and 56 per cent concern children under 4 (*3). New technologies amplify sexual abuse. They make it easier for groomers to contact young people, and images (photos and videos of child victims) spread faster. Encrypted environments also enable predators to abuse children undetected. The rapid pace of digital evolution and artificial intelligence poses new challenges for child sexual abuse.
A call to action
Combating the sexual exploitation of children must become an absolute priority. Child Focus calls on governments to pass laws requiring platforms to take strict preventive measures and effectively detect this type of imagery. At European level too, Child Focus is calling on political decision-makers to support the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) resolution and to set up a European centre to coordinate the fight against child sexual exploitation in order to achieve a significant impact.
Sources
Find more information about the work of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
On 18 November, the European Day for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, Child Focus (the Belgian Safer Internet Centre) placed a children's version of Lady Justice in front of the Antwerp Palace of Justice to draw more attention and recognition to victims. Year after year, the number of abuse images of children is increasing worldwide. It is no longer a hidden phenomenon, but an emergency. More than 100 million abuse images were reported in 2023 (*1). Behind every image is a child who was abused and may still be. Each time an image is shared, the victim experiences the abuse all over again.
The child version of Lady Justice is asking for more attention for all victims, who can also leave their first name on a special website.
Child Focus chose the entrance of the Antwerp Palace of Justice because it is the building where the trial of Sven Pichal took place. Pichal is a former Radio 2 presenter who was sentenced to 3 years of prison because he acquired, possessed and distributed child pornography and images of sexual abuse of minors. Little Lady Justice stands before the judicial building, calling for better recognition, prevention and justice for all young victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
At the same time, Child Focus has launched a website: littleladyjustice.be, where victims of sexual abuse and exploitation can anonymously share their first name and age at the time of the abuse, giving a voice to a suffering too often passed over in silence.
As a society, we can no longer ignore these figures
Every second, 3 images of child sexual abuse are shared online (*1). Approaching children online for sexual purposes increased by 300 per cent between 2021 and 2023 (*1). Last year, Child Focus received 2,421 reports (*2) of child sexual abuse images through its civil contact point, an increase of 32 per cent on the previous year.
“We are faced with a worldwide explosion in the number of cases of sexual exploitation and abuse of children. As a society, we can no longer ignore these figures. Children need us, as more and more of them are being sexually exploited online. Everyone needs to be aware of this form of abuse and exploitation, and that specific prevention is needed to prevent children from becoming victims. A stricter legislative framework at European level is also necessary so that platforms assume their responsibilities.” Nel Broothaerts, CEO of Child Focus.
Child sexual abuse and technology go hand in hand
The sexual exploitation of children is increasing in severity and violence, and is affecting younger and younger children. 87 per cent of reported images concern children under 11, and 56 per cent concern children under 4 (*3). New technologies amplify sexual abuse. They make it easier for groomers to contact young people, and images (photos and videos of child victims) spread faster. Encrypted environments also enable predators to abuse children undetected. The rapid pace of digital evolution and artificial intelligence poses new challenges for child sexual abuse.
A call to action
Combating the sexual exploitation of children must become an absolute priority. Child Focus calls on governments to pass laws requiring platforms to take strict preventive measures and effectively detect this type of imagery. At European level too, Child Focus is calling on political decision-makers to support the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) resolution and to set up a European centre to coordinate the fight against child sexual exploitation in order to achieve a significant impact.
Sources
Find more information about the work of the Belgian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
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- CSAM (child sexual abuse material) online-child-abuse raising-awareness
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