By Morenike Omaiboje, Director of Programmes, Women's Consortium of Nigeria
Online Sexual Exploitation (OSE) is a grave crime committed by offenders who exploit individuals using information and communication technologies or the internet. This issue is of significant concern in Africa and worldwide, growing at an alarming rate. With increased internet access, it has become easier for sexual predators to groom, recruit, and exploit with impunity.
Broad Impact of OSE
Online sexual exploitation and abuse affects a broad range of individuals, and not just children; adolescents and adults are also vulnerable to these forms of abuse, emphasising the importance of inclusive prevention and support strategies. OSE encompasses a range of harmful activities, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and live streaming of sexual abuse. Perpetrators exploit the anonymity and accessibility of the internet to target and manipulate their victims, often crossing geographical boundaries with ease. The global reach and relative anonymity afforded by the internet make it challenging to identify and apprehend offenders, and the impact on victims can be devastating and long-lasting.
Victims of OSE often experience severe psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The digital nature of these crimes means that abusive content can be shared and viewed indefinitely, prolonging the victims' ordeal and compounding their sense of violation. Moreover, the fear of stigma and shame often prevents victims from seeking help, further isolating them and allowing the abuse to continue unchecked.
Troubling Trends in Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Reports from the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) and ChildFund highlight a troubling rise in online child sexual exploitation in Africa. [1]. Key findings include:
About 20% of children under 17 have received unsolicited online requests to discuss sex.
Up to a third of children aged 12-17 in Ethiopia and Mozambique share personal information with strangers online.
13% of 12-17-year-olds in Kenya and Mozambique report being threatened and blackmailed into sexual activities online.
A third of 9-17-year-olds in South Africa and over a quarter of 12-17-year-olds in Mozambique have met individuals face-to-face whom they first encountered online.
Legal Frameworks and Gaps
Countries such as Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria have national legal frameworks that adhere to international and regional human rights standards, such as the African Charter and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to protect against OSE. However, the effectiveness of these frameworks varies, with gaps and challenges in implementation and enforcement.
We commend African countries for their efforts to safeguard individuals from OSE but acknowledge that there is still room for improvement in their legal frameworks. By addressing these gaps and strengthening their laws, Africa can create a safer and more secure environment for everyone to thrive.
Collaborative Efforts and Strategies
Efforts to combat OSE require a multi-faceted and multi-sectoral approach involving governments, law enforcement agencies, technology companies, non-governmental organisations, and communities. Effective collaboration across sectors is essential to address the complex and evolving nature of OSE. Strategies to combat this issue include raising public awareness about the risks and signs of OSE, providing resources and support for victims, advocating for stronger legal frameworks and enforcement measures, and developing technological solutions to detect and prevent online abuse.
Call to Action
As Women’s Consortium of Nigeria continues to raise awareness about online sexual exploitation and abuse while also advocating for policies and laws that protect people online, we urge everyone to join efforts to create safer online environments and protect the most vulnerable members of our society from online exploitation and abuse. Together, we can make a difference by combining legal measures, personal vigilance, and institutional support to combat online sexual exploitation effectively.
[1]. https://childfundalliance.org/2024/05/30/online-exploitation-and-abuse-of-children-in-africa-on-the rise/#:~:text=OCSEA%20report%20findings&text=Up%20to%2013%25%20of%2012,sexualised%20images%20of%20themselves%20online.
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