A United Nations independent expert has warned that new and evolving challenges are increasing the risks of child sexual abuse and exploitation worldwide. While progress has been made in strengthening international cooperation, adopting more victim-centred approaches, and involving the private sector, the scale and severity of abuse against children remain deeply concerning. According to the expert, many cases of trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse continue to remain hidden, normalized, or overlooked, preventing adequate responses.
The report presented to the UN Human Rights Council notes that many countries have improved their criminal law frameworks to align with international standards and hold perpetrators accountable for crimes such as child trafficking and sexual exploitation. Despite these legal advancements, the nature of child exploitation is rapidly evolving. New threats, particularly those linked to digital technologies and global crises, are increasing children’s vulnerability.
Technology-driven exploitation is becoming a growing concern, as online platforms and digital tools are increasingly used to exploit children. At the same time, armed conflicts, climate-related disasters, and expanding extractive industries are creating environments where children face higher risks of abuse and exploitation. These conditions often weaken protective systems and increase the likelihood that children will be targeted by traffickers and abusers.
The expert emphasized that these emerging challenges require updated strategies and stronger legal and technological responses. Governments are urged to strengthen and enforce laws criminalizing all forms of child exploitation, invest in digital security and regulation of technology platforms, enhance international cooperation, and ensure justice systems remain centred on the needs of victims. Addressing root causes such as poverty, inequality, and lack of protection systems, while engaging the private sector as a partner, is also considered essential.
The report stresses that preventing the sexual exploitation and abuse of children is possible. Such crimes result from policy, economic, and technological decisions, meaning governments and institutions have the power to take action to protect children’s rights and close gaps that allow exploitation to occur.
The report also highlighted the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict-related sexual violence continues to have devastating impacts. Data from 2025 indicates that rape has been systematically used as a weapon of war, with 887 recorded incidents involving 1,534 victims. Most victims were women and girls, and nearly 80 percent of the cases occurred in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, underscoring the ongoing insecurity and humanitarian crisis in the region.
