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Live streaming identified as prime child sex abuse threat Live streaming identified as prime child sex abuse threat
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Child sexual abuse streamed live over the internet has been highlighted as an emerging threat by monitors of exploitation.Child sexual abuse streamed live over the internet has been highlighted as an emerging threat by monitors of exploitation.
An increasing number of offenders in 2012 were seen targeting vulnerable families overseas to set up live access to children over webcams in exchange for payment, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) has found.An increasing number of offenders in 2012 were seen targeting vulnerable families overseas to set up live access to children over webcams in exchange for payment, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) has found.
In its annual threat assessment of child sexual exploitation and abuse, Ceop warned there were increased fears of child sexual abuse in Brazil as visitors head there for the World Cup and Olympic Games in the next few years.In its annual threat assessment of child sexual exploitation and abuse, Ceop warned there were increased fears of child sexual abuse in Brazil as visitors head there for the World Cup and Olympic Games in the next few years.
In 2012, Ceop received 8,000 reports of indecent images of children being shared, and recorded a two-fold increase in the number of images and videos on previous years to 70,000.In 2012, Ceop received 8,000 reports of indecent images of children being shared, and recorded a two-fold increase in the number of images and videos on previous years to 70,000.
Ceop chief executive Peter Davies said: "Our assessment shows that, sadly, there are still too many children at risk and too many people who would cause them serious harm."Ceop chief executive Peter Davies said: "Our assessment shows that, sadly, there are still too many children at risk and too many people who would cause them serious harm."
Live streaming was identified as an emerging method of producing and distributing indecent images last year, the report said. And Ceop warned that sex offenders were targeting families and children in areas with extreme poverty, rising levels of access to the internet and poor child protection policies.Live streaming was identified as an emerging method of producing and distributing indecent images last year, the report said. And Ceop warned that sex offenders were targeting families and children in areas with extreme poverty, rising levels of access to the internet and poor child protection policies.
The centre also raised concerns about the use of the so-called hidden internet – heavily encrypted forums and pages that allow abusers to cover their tracks.The centre also raised concerns about the use of the so-called hidden internet – heavily encrypted forums and pages that allow abusers to cover their tracks.
UK daily users connecting to secret or encrypted networks increased by two thirds, one of the largest annual increases globally, the report said, with 20,000 daily UK users of such networks expected by the end of this year, although not all would do so for criminal means.UK daily users connecting to secret or encrypted networks increased by two thirds, one of the largest annual increases globally, the report said, with 20,000 daily UK users of such networks expected by the end of this year, although not all would do so for criminal means.
An NSPCC spokeswoman said: "The evidence the NSPCC has gathered from all police forces in England and Wales shows there are around 20,000 sexual offences against children reported every year and many of the victims are under primary-school age.An NSPCC spokeswoman said: "The evidence the NSPCC has gathered from all police forces in England and Wales shows there are around 20,000 sexual offences against children reported every year and many of the victims are under primary-school age.
"However, we believe this is far from the true situation as many cases are never revealed. And since the Savile sex crimes were revealed, our helpline has experienced an increase in the number of adults reporting cases which happened many years, even decades, earlier.""However, we believe this is far from the true situation as many cases are never revealed. And since the Savile sex crimes were revealed, our helpline has experienced an increase in the number of adults reporting cases which happened many years, even decades, earlier."
The policing and criminal justice minister, Damian Green, said: "These figures are deeply troubling and show how our understanding of child sexual exploitation has greatly improved in recent years. Police are bringing more cases before the courts and significant sentences are being handed down to perpetrators.The policing and criminal justice minister, Damian Green, said: "These figures are deeply troubling and show how our understanding of child sexual exploitation has greatly improved in recent years. Police are bringing more cases before the courts and significant sentences are being handed down to perpetrators.
"But more needs to be done. Ceop is doing excellent work and we will see its capability strengthened when it is transferred to the National Crime Agency later this year."But more needs to be done. Ceop is doing excellent work and we will see its capability strengthened when it is transferred to the National Crime Agency later this year.
The chief executive of the charity Victim Support, Javed Khan, said: "It is sadly no surprise that the threat of child sexual abuse and exploitation is increasing in the UK.The chief executive of the charity Victim Support, Javed Khan, said: "It is sadly no surprise that the threat of child sexual abuse and exploitation is increasing in the UK.
"We know from recent high profile court cases, including in Oxford and Telford, that children and vulnerable adults remain at risk of extreme abuse, corruption and trafficking at the hands of a criminal underworld – creating what can only be described as modern day sexual slavery."We know from recent high profile court cases, including in Oxford and Telford, that children and vulnerable adults remain at risk of extreme abuse, corruption and trafficking at the hands of a criminal underworld – creating what can only be described as modern day sexual slavery.
"But the police service must also ask itself some searching questions. Its first priority is to prevent and detect crime. Yet the national threat assessment has had to fill gaps because of inconsistencies in the way forces collect, record and categorise child sex abuse offences."But the police service must also ask itself some searching questions. Its first priority is to prevent and detect crime. Yet the national threat assessment has had to fill gaps because of inconsistencies in the way forces collect, record and categorise child sex abuse offences.
"It is essential that every dot is joined-up if the most vulnerable in our society are to be protected. Every police force must therefore contribute fully and consistently to the national intelligence picture. Only then will we have a true picture of the scale of the problem.""It is essential that every dot is joined-up if the most vulnerable in our society are to be protected. Every police force must therefore contribute fully and consistently to the national intelligence picture. Only then will we have a true picture of the scale of the problem."
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