April 3, 2025: Safe Online is proud to announce the launch of the Second Edition of the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, a comprehensive resource aimed at improving the accuracy, sensitivity, and consistency of language used in the fight against child sexual exploitation and abuse. The updated guidelines will officially launch at a global webinar on April 10, 2025, at 13:00 GMT.
Safe Online proudly participated in the development of the new guidelines, alongside ECPAT, Childlight|Global Child Safety Institute, the WeProtect Global Alliance and a diverse group of global organisations and entities representing different sectors. The updated edition reflects the latest insights and best practices in child protection, offering refined definitions and language to improve how professionals, policymakers, and the media refer to cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse and contribute to ensuring no child is hurt by the words of the professionals they meet.
Key Updates in the Second Edition
The Second Edition includes updated definitions and guidance on key terms related to child sexual exploitation and abuse, including:
The guidelines also provide greater attention to intersectionality, gender identity, and LGBTQI+ considerations, ensuring that language reflects the diverse realities of child survivors and those at increased risk of sexual exploitation.
A Collaborative Global Effort
The updated guidelines were developed through an extensive collaborative process involving over 40 global organisations, including survivor advocates, legal experts, and child protection professionals. The Interagency Working Group combined diverse expertise and perspectives to create a globally relevant and adaptable resource that reflects the evolving nature of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Our grantees Plan International UK Cyber-safe Spaces for Children and Youth in Manila and Quezon City Countries involved:The Philippines In the Philippines, Plan International United Kingdom is working in the Philippines to ensure children are protected from online sexual exploitation and abuse, perpetrators are apprehended and prosecutors, and children enjoy the benefits
Our grantees Thorn Global CSAM Classifier Development Program Countries involved:United States of America Supported by Safe Online’s investments, Thorn has accelerated the development of their artificial intelligence classifiers, which are working to automate the detection of CSAM. Through this project, Thorn aimed to create a global standard for labelling, connecting
Our grantees Pathfinder Kindred The Auditor Countries involved:Australia, New Zealand Pathfinder Kindred is developing ‘The Auditor’, a software solution designed to work with Internet Hotlines, government organisation and legal entities responsible for the removal of online harmful content. The Auditor is designed to be utilised by Analysts, who, while monitoring the
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