Sexual abuse and exploitation of children in cyberspace: Current challenges for European criminal policy
Sexual abuse and exploitation of children in cyberspace: Current challenges for European criminal policy

Summary/Abstract: With the increasing development of technology and the spread of internet access, an increasing number of children have been exposed to sexual abuse in cyberspace. Recent events – including the COVID-19 pandemic and the transfer of many everyday activities to the internet – have further increased the risk of exposure to objectionable sexual behaviour. The purpose of the article is to discuss current challenges for European criminal policy in preventing and combating sexual crime, which is seen as one of the greatest threats to children in the 21st century. The author highlights the scope of the phenomenon in European countries, the emergence of new forms of exploitation, the rise of CSAM/CSEM materials and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also addresses proposed changes to the law, including the assumptions of the Strategy for the Rights of the Child and the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing Rules to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse.

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