Children are digital by default, learning and socializing online, which heightens their vulnerability to abuse, underscoring the need for policy-level discussions to enhance protections.

Globally, over half of child sexual abuse material is produced by relatives, with fathers responsible for around 900,000 images in 2024 alone.

Online abuse has surged dramatically, with 11 percent of children aged 5 to 17 exposed to unwanted sexual content in the past year, and around 20 percent estimated to have faced online grooming, often pressured into sharing sexual images.

Most offline abuse occurs within trusted environments like homes, schools, and care settings, with about half of offenders being known to the children, including family members and friends.

A recent study reveals that over a million children worldwide have been groomed, coerced, or exposed to unwanted sexual content online, with a staggering 1,325 percent increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material since 2023.

Researchers emphasize that child sexual abuse should be treated as a health emergency, advocating for a focus on prevention, protection, and victim support rather than solely criminal justice responses.

A study by the University of Edinburgh highlights a 'shocking pandemic' of child sexual abuse in Britain, with nearly 1 in 20 children having been raped or sexually assaulted before age 18, totaling approximately 609,000 victims.

Experts are calling for stronger regulation and safety measures, criticizing current efforts like the Online Safety Act, and stressing the importance of services and awareness to combat this public health crisis.

In Western Europe, about 7 percent of children, roughly 5 million, have been raped or sexually assaulted before 18, with higher rates among girls (9.7%) compared to boys (3.9%), and nearly 20 percent experiencing online grooming or solicitation.

AI-driven abuse imagery has intensified exploitation networks, blurring the line between digital fantasy and real-world criminality, and accelerating the distribution of abuse material.