The sexual exploitation of children is, sadly, not a new phenomenon. It has existed for many
centuries, has victimized children of any age from all countries, and has been committed by
offenders of all backgrounds from around the world. What has changed however, are the ways
in which these offences occur and the mechanisms that facilitate these types of abuse.
In the last fifteen years there has been a significant increase in the use of technologies
internationally. Across much of the globe, it is hard to find a person without at least one
mechanism that allows them to access the Internet at the mere touch of a button. However, as
history will teach us, with every new invention there will be misuse – this has never been more
evident than with online technologies and the Internet.

Technological advancements have changed the ways through which children are sexually
exploited – online child sexual exploitation continues to grow exponentially with hotlines
around the world reporting a consistent and continual increase in number of cases every year.
Efforts internationally are responding to these increases. We are seeing police agencies utilizing
technology to help them further investigations and more and more industry partners are
exploring how they can be part of the solution. Additionally, non–government agencies continue
to seek out new opportunities to enhance their support to victims in their communities through
supporting criminal justice and social service system development, survivor care, and
community–based support mechanisms. Never before has it been more important to work
together to protect children. But in order to do just that, it is imperative that we know more
about these crimes against children. We must know how they are occurring, who is committing
them, and who is being victimized in order to more fully protect this vulnerable population. 

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