International Justice Mission Australia’s Post

31 May 2024 I had the privilege of attending Beware the Share PH Online Campaign and Learning Session by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Women's Alliance for Security and Peace (WASP). The session had me thinking more about my digital presence, online consciousness, and means of protecting my privacy. According to the 2019 National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines, "Almost all of the reported cases of OSAEC in the Philippines involve the production of child sex abuse materials, including live streaming of child sex abuse. Other forms of OSAEC such as grooming, sexual extortion of children, and peer-to-peer abuse seem to go unreported." We have to contribute to making the digital space a safe and child-sensitive space. For survivors of such violence, I urge our lawmakers to provide for safeguards and mechanisms for societal reintegration and aftercare in line with international standards and existing legislation. For any concerns about online abuse and exploitation, you may report to local authorities through a 911 call or via acg.pnp.gov.ph, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group. To test your online safety skills and know more about the campaign, visit the Beware the Share website: https://lnkd.in/gBwPg8QK

Recent press coverage and events in Australia have sparked widespread discussions about online safety, highlighting the way technology has increasingly integrated into our daily lives, particularly for children. At ICMEC Australia, we recognise the pressing need for comprehensive online safety measures to protect individuals, especially children from online threats. With sextortion increasing along with the prevalence of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), there's an urgency for us to act. We support the unrelenting efforts of the eSafety Commissioner in online child protection and in setting a global standard for responding to this crime. ICMEC Australia is committed to prioritising child protection, and we encourage you to join us in ensuring it remains a top priority. You can contribute by submitting your input here:  https://lnkd.in/gkAtFSeT Together, we can work towards creating a safer and more secure online world for children.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act, introduced by Senators Cruz and Klobuchar, addresses the urgent issue of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), including AI-generated deepfakes. This bipartisan legislation aims to: 1. Criminalize the publication and distribution of NCII. 2. Mandate the removal of such content within 48 hours of victim notification. 3. Protect victims by providing legal remedies to reclaim control over their images. 4. Ensure accountability for perpetrators and online platforms. There is a tremendous need for this Act as social media exacerbates the spread and impact of NCII, causing severe psychological and social harm. This legislation is a critical step towards creating a safer online environment and protecting individuals from exploitation and abuse.

The protection of children online is a global problem. To stop images and videos of children being sexually abused online, to defend them, demands a global solution. Our Members are doing the right thing. All children deserve to be protected from sexual abuse and exploitation. Could you join us too? Find out how at www.iwf.org.uk/membership.

CW: Topics related to sexual assault and gender based violence, specifically as they relate to Indigenous communities. Please take good care! Post 2 of 3: April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (hashtag #SAAPM). In the U.S., Indigenous people are twice as likely to experience sexual violence compared to other communities/races. This is a public health crisis, further exacerbated by wide gaps in access to and funding for care, and a legacy of paternalism and colonialism that - until recently, and still so in some communities - has prevented Indigenous communities & Tribal Law Enforcement from pursuing their own criminal and restorative justice actions. Adding further: 86-96 percent of the sexual abuse of Native women is committed by non-Indigenous perpetrators who are rarely brought to justice. While there's SO much more to do to in regards to both pre- and postvention for these crimes, some states have begun to pursue intervention measures to support Indigenous communities in their pursuit of justice. Colorado is one such example. In 2022, SB 22-150 established the Office of the Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (OMMIR). The Office helps connect families with resources, works to increase awareness regarding MMIR, develops and enhances partnerships with Tribal Law Enforcement and communities. Indigenous communities that are affected by the crisis of sexual & domestic violence are THE experts when it comes to their own care and criminal justice proceedings. States are just one piece of the puzzle. If you or a loved one has been affected by any of the topics mentioned above, please see below for a couple of resources that may be of use. More soon! --- National Sexual Assault Hotline: RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, confidential, and anonymous 24/7 support by phone at 800.656.HOPE (4673) in both English and Spanish, or online in English at online.RAINN.org and in Spanish at RAINN.org/es. National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center: An organization dedicated to ending violence against Native women and children through policy advocacy and direct service provision. The NIWRC operates the Strong Hearts Native Helpline, which supports Native survivors of violence in crisis, and facilitates local resource connection. You can connect to this hotline by calling 844.762.8483. Sources: Indian Law Resource Center, RAINN, Columbia School of Public Health

#Trigger Child Sexual Abuse In today’s digital age, the dangers children face online are evolving rapidly. From phishing to grooming tactics, the threats are real and increasingly sophisticated. Recognising that preventing #ChildSexualAbuse (CSA) requires a mult pronged approach is key. While interventions are very important, equipping children with the knowledge they need to recognise and report abuse is important. Technology has evolved and so has the form of online sexual abuses. It has become transitional - Online abuse doesn't limit itself to the online spaces anymore but has the potential to get into one's offline space and vice versa. Building and refining systems that can detect and prevent #CSA material and abuse, whether it occurs online or offline is imperative. However, this isn’t just the responsibility of tech experts or educators—it’s a collective duty. While technology can be used to exploit, it can also be harnessed to protect and educate. This video by Brave Movement reminds us about this.

Human trafficking involves the use of coercion or force to exploit individuals for various forms of labor. This practice is prevalent in multiple industries, including hotels, domestic service, and agriculture. The US Department of Homeland Security reports that millions of people are sex trafficked globally each year, with the United States being no exception. Traffickers often use violence, manipulation, and false promises to lure victims, targeting those who are particularly vulnerable. According to the Department of Homeland Security, these are some questions to help identify a victim: Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations? Has a child stopped attending school? Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior? Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts? To seek assistance from the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH), call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). Espanol: Obtenga ayuda de la Línea Directa Nacional de Trata de Personas: 1-888-373-7888 o enviando un mensaje de texto con HELP o INFO a BeFree (233733). https://lnkd.in/ecNgauSP

Launched in 1998, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)’s CyberTipline has been instrumental in the reporting of suspected incidents of child sexual exploitation, receiving over 36 million reports in 2023 alone. With law enforcement in 158+ countries receiving CyberTipline reports, we want to highlight their commitment as our Hotline of the Month for April. One of NCMEC's various initiatives is Take It Down, a tool that empowers young people to reclaim control over their online privacy. With Take It Down, users can anonymously help prevent the sharing of their explicit images taken before they turned 18. Using advanced technology, the platform ensures online privacy while combating the spread of harmful content. Learn more about their mission to eradicate CSAM from the internet and support law enforcement. Visit https://bit.ly/3TutsAd #hotlineofthemonth #inhope #memberhotline #globalnetwork #safeinternet #childsafety #EndOnlineExploitation #TakeItDown #onlineprotection #fightCSAM #NCMEC

The Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision, requiring law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing an IP address, is a setback for child protection. The evidence is clear: online child sexual exploitation is increasing, with new threats emerging constantly. The Court’s ruling introduces additional obstacles to an already overwhelmed system, delaying crucial interventions that can mean the difference between a child’s safety and a predator’s escape. Canadian lawmakers must take immediate action to equip law enforcement with the necessary tools to protect children online. We are past the tipping point – the time to act is now. Read more in my article with the Toronto Star: https://lnkd.in/eaRMEn6Z

“Where the fines are lower than the cost of implementing meaningful safety measures to address the breach, there is little incentive for platforms to change and improve safety standards,” Thank you, Clare Armstrong and News Corp Australia for spotlighting IJM’s Online Safety Act review submission. Tech companies need to be held accountable if they fail to stop child sexual abuse material spreading online on their platforms. Our submission, on behalf of survivors of online child sexual abuse, calls on the Albanese Government to strengthen requirements for tech companies to ensure the prevention and quick intervention to remove child sexual exploitation material. Online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) is fuelled by offenders worldwide, including Australians, who pay to access and direct the livestreamed abuse. However, steps can be taken to address OSEC. Read the full article (paywalled): https://bit.ly/4bmxCQu Read our full submission: https://bit.ly/4bnyBQl