Alarming Global and European Figures
Over 300 million children are estimated to be victims of online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA) every year — that’s roughly 1 in 8 children globally (Childlight).
In Europe, 2 out of 3 children report having experienced some form of online sexual harm (WeProtect).
According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 92% of EU citizens believe that children are increasingly at risk online, and 73% consider online sexual exploitation a widespread issue (European Commission).
Europe: A Hosting Hub for Abuse Material
An estimated 62% of known child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is hosted on servers based in Europe, with countries like the Netherlands repeatedly ranking among the top locations (IWF Annual Report).
The Scope of Abuse Is Wider Than We Think
A UK-based study revealed that 7% of adult men admitted to having engaged in online behaviors that constitute sexual abuse of children — that’s equivalent to around 1.8 million individuals in the UK alone (Childlight).
Globally:
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12% of children say they’ve received unwanted sexual messages online
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13% report being exposed to sexual content without their consent (University of Edinburgh)
What These Numbers Tell Us About Prevention
Too often, adults only intervene after harm has occurred. But real prevention requires an earlier, proactive approach—one based on education, digital literacy, and trust.
OSEA thrives in silence, secrecy, and shame. It’s not just a criminal issue; it’s a public health crisis, a digital rights challenge, and an educational responsibility.
So, What Can We Do?
Effective prevention involves:
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Creating safe, judgment-free spaces where children and teens can speak openly about their online experiences
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Teaching critical thinking and digital skills, so young people can identify manipulation, grooming, or coercion before it’s too late
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Ensuring that parents, educators, and youth professionals are trained, supported, and ready to act — not just react
Turning Awareness Into Action: The BE AWARE Initiative
Co-funded by the European Union, the BE AWARE project transforms prevention into practice:
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The BE AWARE mobile app-game offers realistic scenarios, self-tests, and country-specific support resources in an interactive, youth-friendly format
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The BE AWARE Toolkit provides ready-to-use educational materials for teachers, youth workers, and caregivers
Learn More:
https://beawareproject.eu
Try the tools:
Final Thought
Prevention is not just a concept. It’s a commitment.
And it starts with knowledge, action, and the belief that every child deserves to be safe online.
