US, Australia to Combat Online Child Exploitation Worldwide

Canberra and Washington have taken a joint step forward to combat child sexual exploitation, which has increasingly worsened due to digital technologies.

Australia and the United States have taken another joint step forward to combat child sexual exploitation. Africa Studio/Adobe Stock

Canberra and Washington have taken another joint step forward to combat online child sexual exploitation.

Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have convened the inaugural meeting of a joint council on tackling the issue.

“Online child sexual exploitation and abuse is increasingly prevalent, commodified, and worsened by the speed, scale, and scope of digital technologies. New and emerging technologies, like generative artificial intelligence (AI), have further exacerbated risk of harm to youth, but also provide opportunities to tackle the threat,” reads a joint statement.

“The United States and Australia are steadfast in combatting all forms of child exploitation and abuse.”

Mr. Dreyfus said they have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable group of the society.

“Online child sexual exploitation and abuse has a devastating impact on victims and survivors,” he said on Nov. 19. “The Albanese Government is committed to preventing and responding to child sexual abuse that occurs online or in any other setting, and supporting all victims and survivors.”

“Every child and young person has the right to be safe from child sexual abuse wherever they are, and it is our collective responsibility to protect them.”

Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 12, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Mr. Mayorkas said the crime was tragically on the rise around the globe, and there is “no greater law enforcement imperative.”

“We must also hold the perpetrators accountable,” he said. “These online crimes know no geographic boundaries, and the perpetrators are exploiting technological advances to manipulate images and make it more difficult for law enforcement to detect real versus fake images and identify and save true victims.”

“All of this makes it imperative that we take a whole-of-government approach to tackling this scourge, and to work with our allies across the globe.”

Mr. Mayorkas added that one of its great partners to achieve this is the Australian government, which has “prioritised identifying and saving victims of online child exploitation and abuse and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met on May 23, making a commitment to establish the Joint Council, which they reaffirmed at the Australia state visit to the United States in October.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Homeland Security Committee in Washington on Nov. 15, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Chaired by Secretary Mayorkas and Mr. Dreyfus, the new Joint Council first met on Nov. 16.

According to the statement, the joint Council is committed to “combatting online child sexual exploitation and abuse by developing a trauma-informed, victim and survivor-centred multidisciplinary workplan within each of the pillars of the Joint Council.

These pillars arejoint law enforcement cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region; prevention, awareness, and outreach; research and development; joint operations; policy development; and safety by design.

How to Report Suspected Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Australia

If you think a child is in immediate danger call Triple Zero (000). Anonymous reports can be made to Crime Stoppers or call their toll-free number 1800 333 000.

To report online child sexual abuse, including child sexual abuse material, please contact the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and use the Report Abuse button.

You can also report illegal content, including online child sexual exploitation and abuse material, to the eSafety Commissioner.