Secondary prevention of the use of online child sexual exploitation material: an initial overview of international efforts

Prevention of the consumption of online child sexual exploitation material presents society with a host of new challenges and is a priority of the European Union (EU). Alongside the identification and prosecution of individuals who use child sexual exploitation material, there is a strong desire to prevent these offences before they occur. Due to the reports of exponential rises in detected child sexual exploitation material offending behaviour, an enhanced focus has been on secondary prevention efforts. Based on prevention and intervention models, this article briefly reviews some of the secondary prevention deterrence and psychosocial intervention efforts in Europe, with the aim to inform and support professionals in research, politics and service provision in German-speaking countries who wish to develop such approaches. The article initially discusses the European Commission's current classification criteria to better understand and classify child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention programs. Approaches to preventative deterrence by law enforcement agencies are addressed, alongside the importance of cross-sectional collaboration with various stakeholders such as technology companies (e.g., Microsoft) and nongovernmental organisations (e.g., the International Hotline Operators of Europe). This is particularly focused on the situational prevention efforts and deterrence of at-risk populations. Furthermore, psychosocial intervention providers, such as the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Stop it Now! Helpline, Project PARAPHILE, Kein Tater werden and other secondary prevention services in Germany, show the growth and diversity of work by existing prevention providers. The article concludes with a discussion of current challenges in the prevention of child sexual exploitation material.