ECPAT and the #ChildSafetyON coalition are demanding action to protect children online – ECPAT

PRESS RELEASE: 19 September 2023 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WARNING: ACTIVISTS IN BRUSSELS WEAR HAZMAT SUITS AS THE INTERNET IS A DANGER ZONE FOR KIDS. A EUROPE-WIDE COALITION MARCHED ON THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TODAY TO DEMAND ACTION ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE REGULATION 

• The coalition's aims are supported by a majority of European citizens according to new data from the European Commission.
• As well as more than 400,000 individuals of the public through a petition.
• And more than 100 young people, survivors, academics and celebrities who have signed an open letter in support of the proposed EU Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse.
• EU leaders are called upon to use their political power to pass this legislation and protect children from sexual abuse online.

BRUSSELS — Today, survivors, young people, child rights organisations, and other advocates from across the EU marched on Brussels to ask EU leaders to ‘clean up the internet' from sexual predators and protect our children online. In a defiant stunt to capture the attention of EU decision-makers, a coalition took to the streets to show support for the proposed EU Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse.

Wearing “Child Safety ON” hazmat suits and warning signs, activists highlighted the dangers of the internet for children and called on EU leaders to use their political power to pass this legislation and protect children from sexual abuse online.

The action comes as new data from the European Commission's Eurobarometer found that Europeans are widely and strongly supportive of the bid to protect children online:

• 92% agree that children are increasingly at risk online.
• 82% agree that tools like parental control are not enough to keep children safe online
• 78% support or strongly support the Commission's proposal to fight child sexual abuse

Across Europe, over 100 young people, child abuse survivors, celebrities, academics and child safety experts have come together to sign an open letter calling for EU lawmakers to pass the European Commission's CSA proposal. Notable open letter signatories include Swedish supermodel Elsa Hosk, former Dutch international footballer Dennis Bergkamp, internationally acclaimed Irish actor Jessie Buckley, and French movie star Ludivine Sagnier.

Amy Crocker, Head of Child Protection and Technology at ECPAT International said: “As political leaders in the EU deliberate over groundbreaking legislation to reshape the protection of children from online sexual abuse, the world watches. In the era of online misinformation and disinformation, tried-and-tested, precise tech solutions for combating child sexual abuse often fall victim to misrepresentation, while children continue to be harmed and silenced. This regulation offers legal clarity and places obligations on online service providers to safely detect, report, and remove child sexual abuse online. It is high time we place child protection from sexual abuse at the core of EU digital policies.”

The proposed EU legislation would require online service providers to prevent, detect, report, and remove child sexual abuse online. It would also establish an EU Centre to prevent and counter child sexual abuse, where child rights professionals, tech experts, survivors, and law enforcement would work together to tackle this cross-border crime.

JOIN THE #ChildSafetyON MOVEMENT!

ECPAT and child rights organisations in the EU and beyond are united under a common mission: we must safeguard children from the crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation online! Be part of the #ChildSafetyON movement and support our campaign to call on politicians, online service providers, and tech companies to take responsibility for the creation of a better digital world, one where all children will feel empowered and safe from the increasing risks of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Add your voice on social media and remember to use the #ChildSafetyON hashtag! 

Tweet your leader to demand that the EU ends child sexual abuse online! 

Sign the petition to end child sexual abuse online! 

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