Opinion | Child sexual violence on the rise
Summary
Around 5 million children in Western Europe and more than 50 million in South Asia are reported victims of child sexual violence, with rising online abuse and AI-generated material. Efforts include legislation, enforcement, and prevention models like Barnahus.
Key Points
- About 7% of children in Western Europe and 12% in South Asia report having been raped or sexually assaulted by age 18.
- AI-generated child sexual abuse material reports rose 1,325% between 2023 and 2024, raising serious concerns.
- Legislation like the EU Digital Services Act and UK Online Safety Act are improving online child safety measures.
- Preventive approaches such as the Barnahus model and blocklist technology are helping thwart abuse and support victims.
