Public Prosecution Signs Deal to Tackle Online Child Exploitation

A cooperation agreement has been signed between the Public Prosecution and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to strengthen efforts against online child sexual exploitation crimes. The step follows directives aimed at reinforcing child protection mechanisms and enhancing international cooperation in addressing emerging digital crimes.

The Public Prosecution cited growing concerns around the misuse of smart devices by children, which can expose them to sexual exploitation and abuse through digital platforms and social media. In response, the Office for Child, Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Protection within the Judicial Inspection Department initiated cooperation with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an international organisation specialised in receiving, monitoring, and analysing reports related to child sexual exploitation content online.

According to the Public Prosecution, the centre receives reports from global digital service providers and law enforcement agencies across multiple countries. These reports are analysed to extract technical data that supports criminal investigations. The centre has indicated that nearly 20 million reports worldwide had been received by 2024 concerning incidents of online child sexual exploitation.

As part of the agreement, several reports involving suspected sexual abuse of children in digital content were reviewed by the Office for Child Protection. Urgent legal measures were taken in coordination with relevant authorities, alongside providing protection to affected children. One case involved flagged conversations on a dating application between an adult and a child, suspected of luring and sexual exploitation. The suspect was identified, arrested, and placed in pre-trial detention following admission of the incident.