On the European Day for the Protection of Children Against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to fighting child sexual abuse and exploitation, both online and offline. In 2023, over 1.3 million reports of child sexual abuse were made in the EU, including more than 3.4 million images and videos. Shockingly, the EU remains the global leader in hosting such material, with nearly 60% of worldwide reports originating from EU countries.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, highlighted the EU’s ongoing efforts to combat these crimes, focusing on prevention.

The European Commission funds key initiatives aimed at reducing the risk of abuse and supporting victims. Among these, Project Protect and Prevent Through Support (2PS) raises awareness, provides therapy, and trains law enforcement personnel to prevent abuse. Another initiative, AviaTor, uses artificial intelligence to help law enforcement process child sexual abuse reports more efficiently, speeding up investigations and aiding in the identification of offenders.

These initiatives are part of the EU’s broader Strategy for a More Effective Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse (2020-2025), which includes projects that strengthen international cooperation, improve legal frameworks, and support innovative technological solutions.

For more details on the EU’s funding and initiatives, visit the European Commission’s website.