KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), together with the WeProtect Global Alliance, is calling on national governments to establish coordinated responses between criminal justice systems, to better protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation.
The systems should include law enforcement, child welfare, education, health and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sectors as well as civil society, the Unicef said in a statement.
“When young people, governments, families, the ICT sector and communities work together, we are more likely to find the best ways to respond to online sexual abuse and exploitation.
“This will send a strong message that confronting and ending violence against children online — indeed anywhere — is all of our business,” said the Unicef’s Associate Director of Child Protection, Cornelius Williams.
Citing a new Unicef study on Perils and Possibilities: Growing Up Online, Williams said that although the Internet and mobile phones have revolutionised young people’s access to information, the report, however, showed the real risk of online abuse for girls and boys.
“Globally, one in three Internet users is a child. Today’s findings provide important insights from young people themselves.
“Unicef aims to amplify adolescents’ voices to help address online violence, exploitation and abuse, and make sure that children can take full advantage of the benefits the Internet and mobile phones offer,” Williams said.
The report, based on an international opinion poll of more than 10,000 18-year-olds from 25 countries, revealed young people’s perspectives on the risks they face growing up in an increasingly connected world.
It also reported that eight out of ten 18-year-olds believe young people are in danger of being sexually abused or taken advantage of online while more than five out of 10 think friends participate in risky behaviours while using the Internet, added the statement.
The WeProtect Global Alliance, comprising governments, companies and civil society organisations, is created to end the sexual exploitation of children online through national and global action. — Bernama
