Did you know that an estimated 10 % to 20 % of European children suffer sexual abuse before they turn 18? Abuse occurs mainly in their immediate environment, but the internet and new technologies have brought a new dimension to child sexual exploitation, which is sometimes of a commercial nature. Online abuse victims experience high levels of re-victimisation as their images can still be exploited on the web long after the abuse occurred.

The EU has adopted legislation to combat this very serious crime, criminalising a wide range of behaviours, both offline and online, including grooming and webcam sexual abuse, and introducing not only higher penalties but also preventive measures. The law requires EU countries to ensure perpetrators are disqualified from professional activities involving contact with children, and facilitates the international exchange of information on convictions via the EU criminal records information system. EU countries are also required to promptly remove webpages containing or disseminating child pornography. The law aims to protect child victims in criminal investigations and proceedings, and to safeguard their privacy and identity. Moreover, tackling child sexual exploitation is a priority under the EU plan for combating serious crime, in which the EU police agency Europol plays an important role.

You can play a role, too – by taking part in Europol's 'Trace an object' campaign, helping identify the origin of an object linked to investigations, or by contacting the INHOPE network of hotlines, to report suspicious online content.