Alexandria, VA (April 19, 2022) — In times of conflict and crisis, children are at a heightened risk of not just violence and displacement, but of going missing, being trafficked,...

A new joint project will protect children in Africa by taking a stand against online child sexual abuse, supporting the efforts of child helplines and key national stakeholders in the...

October 2021 (ICMEC, Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & Delos Angeles) The purpose of this paper is to strengthen the child protection legal framework such that it leaves no child in the Philippines vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse. The analysis and recommendations reflect the real-world challenges faced by dozens of professionals navigating the, admittedly, robust child protection legal framework in the Philippines, and recommendations from a diverse stakeholder group that supports the child protection agenda. The paper enumerates several impediments faced by law enforcement, regulators, policymakers, private industry, civil society, and others to advance effective action to combat this crime. Through practical recommendations, we endeavor to detail the current legal statutes that hinder or collectively challenge operational action by the diverse stakeholder group. We respectfully urge policymakers in the Philippines Congress to take up the cause and support the review, revision, and/or drafting of new legislation that will address the challenges identified to close the gaps that still exist leaving our children vulnerable.Read More

...sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. The online portal, hosted on ICMEC’s website, allows concerned internet users who do not have access to their own national reporting mechanism to easily and...

Unfortunately, due to low registration, the inaugural Protecting Children Online Academy hosted by the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children in partnership with Notre Dame University has been canceled....

...pilot MRC Assessment in Guatemala in June of 2021. This first-of-its-kind national assessment identifies gaps in child protection investigation, response, and victim assistance practices that leave children vulnerable to online...

...protect all children from the growing threats of sexual exploitation and abuse,” said Paull. “ICMEC’s global reach and work is essential to creating a safer world for all children —...

...frameworks which uphold the rights of children. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) established a Regional Plan of Action for Protection of Children from All Forms of Online Abuse...

...technologies, and educational resources to aid in the search and recovery of children who are missing, fight online exploitation online, and empower caring professionals, institutions, and communities to safeguard children...

...commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of all children. Together, we are building a safer world for children. View our 2020 impact report for the Global Missing Children’s Network....

...panel during the FIFAfrica 2022 Conference on the online safety of children in Africa, highlighting the importance of collaboration in ensuring that children are safe to explore the benefits of...

  Anuncio en español aquí The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children and ECPAT International team up to provide free, online learning to equip “Agents of Change” with the...

...response to the scourge of online child sexual exploitation. ICMEC CEO Bob Cunningham said this is an important step in defending children. “With an office in Sydney, ICMEC will be...

Student safety surveys are used to identify child protection risks to be mitigated.  They should not be used if staff are not trained to respond to student disclosre, there is no child protection policy, or clear reporting pathway for students to disclose abuse.  A lack of action following a safety survey could exacerbate existing instances of abuse.Read More

...partners around the world to develop research, technologies, and educational resources to aid in the search and recovery of children who are missing, fight online exploitation online, and empower caring...

We are currently developing resources in Chinese versions.  Please share applicable resources to EdPortal@ICMEC.org.Read More

(ICMEC) Safeguarding challenges of online school can be overcome with risk mitigating codes of conduct and child protection policies and procedures.  Ensure staff are aware of their professional responsibilities to maintain appropriate boundaries with students.  Usual school principles of avoiding 1-on-1 contact with students and supervised, observable and interruptable contact with vulnerable students should be in place in online learning environments.Read More

...sexual abuse material for investigation and removal. This is a crucial step forward in the fight to create a safer internet and safer world for children everywhere,” says Bob Cunningham,...

At the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, we envision a world where children can grow up safe from exploitation, sexual abuse, or risk of going missing. Thank you...

...safer world and safer internet for children. As reports of online child exploitation continue to increase year-over-year, it is critical that every industry in every country is aware and equipped...

...Through this methodical assessment, ICMEC is leading the way in helping countries create national protection plans to make those countries, and our world, safer for every child. See how the...

This toolkit is designed to assist medical and mental health professionals, health administrators, government officials, shelter staff, and other care providers in assessing and improving health care services available to trafficked children and adults, either on-site at their own organization, or at one or more local facilities (‘referral network’). The kit contains four sections: (1) an overview of human trafficking, (2) a service-assessment tool for determining strengths and challenges in a given facility’s medical and/or mental health care delivery, (3) guidelines for developing or improving medical and mental health services for trafficked persons, and (4) a template for organizing the names of key local and national partners and their contact information. This list will help ensure comprehensive care for trafficked persons.Read More

Every day children go missing around the world. And every day, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) fights to bring them home and create a safer world....

(ITFCP) - Form that incorporates the new accreditation standards for child protection into policy planning for educational institutions.Read More

...risks of online abuse and exploitation. ICMEC joined the 2023 Gira Vive where we reached more than 5,000 children in schools across Guatemala with important tips on how to engage...

...of the 2021 Gala for Child Protection, ICMEC will continue to bring missing children home and create a safer world for children everywhere.” Thank you to our Diamond Sponsors for...

This groundbreaking report, often referred to as ICMEC's Rule of Law project, analyzes child sexual abuse material (CSAM) legislation in 196 countries around the world, and offers a “menu” of concepts to be considered when drafting anti-CSAM legislation. First released in April 2006, the report is currently in its 9^th edition. The latest edition's findings show that since inception 150 countries have refined or implemented new anti-CSAM legislation, 140 countries criminalize simple CSAM possession, 125 countries define CSAM, and only 32 countries require ISP reporting of suspected CSAM. For a brief overview of the 9^th edition click here.Read More

...MRC Assessment for Preventing and Combating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse >> English Moldova View Moldova’s MRC Assessment for the Prevention, Investigation, and Assistance to Victims of Online Child...