Child-protection based strategies to fight against sexual abuse and exploitation crimes

Child sexual abuse and exploitation are among the worst forms of violence against children and constitute serious crimes that know no borders. The continuous increase in child sexual abuse and exploitation, not least due to the Covid‐19 pandemic, highlight the importance of harmonised national legislation and international cooperation to prevent these offenses, protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators. The fight against these awful crimes is a global fight that involves governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society, communities, and, of course, companies.

ALUNA project proposes an innovative, ambitious, interdisciplinary, international child-protection-centered approach to fight against CSA/CSE crimes. ALUNA focuses on the three main components (Prevention, Investigation, and Victim Assistance) to establish a coordinated contribution with law enforcement agencies (LEAs) by developing an appropriate approach that is capable of addressing specific needs and providing protection to childhood. The ALUNA project’s main objective is to use technology to improve the way in which help and support can be provided to victims of CSA/CSE. Moreover, the ALUNA project will establish new innovative strategies that in the short, medium, and long term will improve the way in which LEAs and civil society organisations (CSOs) carry out criminal investigations, assist rescued victims, and prevent the occurrence of these crimes.