Combating Online Child Exploitation During Child Protection Week

Every year in September, New Zealand celebrates Child Safety Week.

Launched in 2021 by Nelson-based organisation Safeguarding Children, the week is an opportunity to highlight child wellbeing and recognise the growing threat of online child sexual exploitation.

Despite the best efforts of agencies such as Customs, Police and Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department of Internal Affairs, cases of child sexual exploitation continue to rise. In 2023, New Zealand agencies received more than 18,000 referrals from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about online crimes.

“Current and emerging technologies play a positive role in our daily lives, but their misuse has led to an increase in the distribution of child sexual abuse material and the normalization of this deplorable content,” said Tim Houston, Manager of the Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Team.

“Child Protection Week is an excellent reminder of the impact child pornography has on tamariki, and the importance of working together to protect the most vulnerable in our society from harm.

An example of this important collaboration is Task Force Ruru, a special team consisting of members from all three agencies who work together to identify victims and track down perpetrators.

“Child Protection Week is a reminder that we must all remain vigilant and take action to protect our children from the dangers lurking online. As the use of child abuse material increases, Customs and its partners are working closely together overseas, at the border and within our own communities to protect and safeguard our children,” said Simon Peterson, Chief Customs Officer, Child Exploitation Operations Team.

“Child Protection Week highlights the dangers our young people can face when they are active online,” said Detective Constable Kepal Richard, New Zealand Police’s Online Child Exploitation Unit.

“Our researchers see first-hand the harm that occurs when our young people are exploited or victimised online. It is a very timely opportunity for all of us to have open conversations with the children in our lives about how we can stay safe and minimise harm online,” said DSS Richards.

These three agencies, along with the Department of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are designated as child welfare and protection agencies under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. This enables them to disclose and request information to protect children from harm.

“I would like to commend all the investigators from the Department of Internal Affairs, Oranga Tamariki, the police and the New Zealand Customs Service who work tirelessly every day to protect the lives of children at home and abroad,” said Tim Houston.

For more information about Child Safeguarding Week and the work of Safeguarding Children, visit childsafeguardingweek.org.nz.

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