The European Commission has intensified its efforts to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation by focusing on prevention as a critical strategy to stop such crimes before they happen. Statistics highlight the urgency: at least one in five children experiences sexual violence during childhood, and the problem has worsened dramatically in the digital space. In 2024 alone, online service providers reported over 20 million suspected cases of child sexual exploitation — a staggering rise from just 1 million in 2010. Alarmingly, reports of grooming have increased twelvefold over the past three years, with abuse becoming increasingly severe.
In response to these escalating threats, on July 29, 2025, the European Commission formally established the Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. This expert group will serve as a collaborative platform to share best practices, advance research, and guide the development and implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies. The initiative aims to foster a multidisciplinary, integrated, and comprehensive approach to child protection across the European Union, with the ultimate goal of reducing the prevalence of abuse and ensuring a safer environment for all children.
