Commission launches the Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

The European Commission has adopted the Decision to formally launch the Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. This official expert group will bring together policy makers, experts and practitioners in the field of the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation online and offline, marking a new chapter in child protection for the EU.

Prevention is crucial to fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation, and to stop these crimes before they occur. At least one in five children falls victim to sexual violence during childhood. In 2024, online service providers sent more than 20 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation, up from 1 million in 2010. The number of reports concerning grooming has multiplied by 12 in the last 3 years, with the abuse originating from it becoming more and more extreme.

Moreover, anonymous surveys of individuals who view child sexual abuse material online reveal some striking insights. Most users were first exposed to these materials accidentally as children, and while 62% have tried to quit, only 3% have received help. Notably, over half (52%) fear their online behavior could lead to in-person offenses, and 50% want to stop accessing these materials altogether.

The Network

To tackle this issue at the source, the Commission formally created the Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse as one of its official expert groups.

The Network’s purpose is to provide expertise and advice to the Commission following a multidisciplinary, integrated and comprehensive approach. Particular focus will be put on prevention with a dual strategy in place: one aimed at safeguarding children and their surroundings to minimise the risk of victimisation, and another targeting individuals who may be at risk of offending or have offended in the past, to prevent them from harming children.

With the establishment of the Network, the Commission delivers on a key initiative of the EU Strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse, which has identified prevention as one of its main.

The Network’s activities will include research support, data collection, sharing of best practices and policy recommendations, assisting in monitoring intervention programmes in the Union, facilitating multidisciplinary training for professionals, as well as conducting awareness raising and education campaigns for children, families, educators, but also for potential perpetrators.

Call for Applications

Following the formal creation of the Network, the Commission has prepared a Call for Applications for the selection of its members.

The Call for Applications to join the Prevention Network is open to highly qualified and specialised individuals appointed in a personal capacity and organisations active in this field with the knowledge and expertise in preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation online and offline.

Find out more

Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

Protecting children from sexual abuse

Awareness raising campaign to prevent and combat child sexual abuse