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The National Crime Agency (NCA) has reported that child sexual abuse is becoming increasingly complicated for law enforcement to tackle. Currently, police are arresting around 1,000 suspected offenders each month, a figure that has approximately doubled over the last three years. The NCA highlights that offenders exist in all communities, and victims can be found in every school. The rise in complexity is attributed to the growing use of online platforms and technological advancements, including AI-generated images, which have facilitated offenders’ ability to connect and exchange abusive material.
The NCA stresses that tackling this issue cannot rely solely on law enforcement efforts. Technology companies are urged to take more responsibility, as digital algorithms and online communities are contributing to the problem by encouraging offenders to normalize their behavior. Rob Jones, the NCA’s director of general operations, describes the situation as dire, noting that some of the most disturbing abuse content is openly shared on mainstream social media and accessible websites, not just hidden in encrypted dark web spaces. He explains that the dark web is used by offenders for coordination, but the openly accessible internet serves as a platform for identifying and ultimately exploiting vulnerable children.
Moreover, the NCA has identified a disturbing trend in financially motivated sexual extortion (FMSE), particularly targeting young boys. Offenders are reportedly paying around £20 to commission livestreamed sexual abuse on demand. The agency also emphasizes that abuse is not limited to online spaces; there is growing evidence linking the consumption of child sexual abuse material with acts of physical abuse. The NCA calls for a comprehensive “whole-system approach” spearheaded by policing but involving all sectors to effectively shield children from such exploitation.
Leaders from various sectors have echoed the need for urgent action. Becky Riggs, National Police Chiefs’ Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation, insists that technology companies must make their platforms inhospitable to offenders by improving detection methods and applying safer design principles. Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls, pointed out that the government is investing in undercover online operations and a specialized police taskforce to disrupt criminal activities and protect children. Additionally, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to swiftly closing legal gaps through the Online Safety Act to bolster protections for children online
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