Protecting children from online sexual exploitation
I recently dropped in to an event in Parliament with the International Justice Mission to look at how we tackle the growing threat of livestreamed child sexual abuse.
The facts are stark and sobering. The National Crime Agency has identified the UK as one of the top three global consumers of livestreamed child sexual abuse. According to Europol, this is now the primary form of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
This is not a problem confined to the “dark web”. It is facilitated through devices and platforms that are part of everyday life.
Protecting children must always come before protecting corporate convenience. I will continue to engage with colleagues right across Parliament and campaigners to make sure this issue gets the sustained attention it rightly deserves.
