© UNICEF/K. Wall Online sexual exploitation is often facilitated by features that allow perpetrators to hide their identity. UNICEF: One in five children in 21 countries have experienced online sexual violence Human Rights
About 20 million children aged 12 to 17– one in five children in 21 countries – suffered from sexual exploitation in the digital space. This is stated in the report of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) published on Thursday.
More than 15 million children in this age group have been exposed to unwanted sexual content, nine million have been forced to engage in sexualized conversations or share intimate images against their will, and four million have been victims of non-consensual sharing of their private images.
UNICEF says the actual scale of the problem is likely significantly above.
“The report reveals a painful reality,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. sexual content or sexual exploitation online – often on digital platforms they use for studying, playing and communicating with friends.”
Social media crimes
Nearly 60 percent of all exploitation documented in the report occurred on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and WhatsApp. Another 14 percent came from online games. Criminals often use the features of these platforms to gain the trust of children. In Montenegro, more than 80 percent of the reported cases were related to social networks. character
In 57 percent of cases in 21 countries, the perpetrators were known to the children, including peers, friends and family members. In 38 percent of cases, the perpetrators knew minors via the Internet.
Evidence suggests that sexual exploitation is often facilitated by features that allow perpetrators to hide their identity.
Exploitation increases the risk of suicide
In interviews with researchers, child survivors of sexual exploitation described the effects on their emotional well-being, sense of security, and ability to trust others. They talked about fear, shame, confusion and isolation.
“I didn’t know how to react… I was a little shocked,” said a young woman from the Dominican Republic. At age 14, her personal images were shared without her consent.
Children who experienced digital sexual exploitation were four times more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behavior and self-harm, and were also significantly more likely to experience alarm.
In Pakistan, the risk of self-harm among exploited children was more than seven times higher. In 1% of cases, the victims never informed anyone about what happened, and law enforcement agencies received reports of less than 1% of incidents.
Most often this was due to the fact that children did not know who to tell about what happened.
“These experiences cause deep emotional and psychological damage, – said the head of UNICEF. – Many children suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn for help. We cannot turn a blind eye to this.”
A Call to Action
“All of us, including governments and technology companies, must do more to protect children online,” Russell stressed.
Authors research calls for more action to prevent sexual exploitation.
For technology companies, experts should provide stronger protections for children and improve mechanisms for filing complaints and reporting abuse. Governments – strengthen mechanisms enforcement and bringing perpetrators to account. Society as a whole needs to challenge harmful gender norms that normalize the sexualization of girls and stigmatize survivors of sexual violence.