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Disrupting Harm’s findings offer key insights into online child abuse. It also allows comparisons between countries to spot common trends. Thanks to this project, we understand better how children experience online abuse, including details about reporting, law enforcement, and legislation.

  • Disrupting Harm data estimates that millions of children were subjected to online child sexual exploitation and abuse across the 13 DH countries in 2020 alone. The proportions of children subjected to OCSEA in the past year varied from 1% in Viet Nam to 20% of children in the Philippines. Scaled to the general population of internet-using children, these estimates represent millions of children in each country.
  • In almost all 13 countries, offenders of online CSEA were more likely to be someone the child already knew in person (on average accounting for 60 per cent of cases). The most common offender was an older friend or someone the child knew from before (aged 18+), followed by a friend under 18. While unknown people still present a considerable risk, especially for children in some countries (primarily Malaysia and the Philippines), the danger is often closer to home.
  • Almost one in three children did not disclose the sexual abuse to anyone with almost half saying they don’t know where to go or who to tell. Children don’t report to formal channels – on average, only 3% of victims across 13 countries called a helpline for support. Similarly, only 3% contacted the police. 
  • Sexual abuse often occurred through a mix of online and in-person interactions shattering the misconception that it remains limited to the digital world
  • Online CSEA is significantly linked with greater risk of both self-harm and suicidal ideation across seven countries included in Disrupting Harm. Whether or not a child has experienced in-person violence, experiencing online CSEA further increases their risk of mental health problems.

Find Insights by Country or Keyword

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Key insights

Children’s Experiences of Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in 12 Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and Southeast Asia

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Children’s Disclosures of Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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Access to Justice and Legal Remedies for Children Subjected to Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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Legislation Addressing Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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Promising Government Interventions Addressing Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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The Relationship Between Online and in-person Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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The role of social media in facilitating Online child sexual exploitation and abuse

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Who perpetrates online child Sexual exploitation and abuse?

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The role of caregivers in preventing Online risks and harms for children

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Law enforcement capacity in online Child sexual exploitation and abuse cases

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