Global Threat Assessment 2023

Child sexual exploitation and abuse is escalating worldwide, in both its scale and complexity. Building on the success of our 2018, 2019, and 2021 editions, the Global Threat Assessment 2023 continues our long-standing commitment to end child sexual exploitation and abuse online.

Proudly continuing our partnership with WeProtect Global Alliance to inform and direct the global response, the report presents novel findings from diverse, global data sources. It examines the urgent need for Safety by Design to be deployed, and explores new and growing trends such as the rise of generative AI being used to create indecent material.

Key takeaways

Child sexual exploitation and abuse is escalating globally. The volume of reported Child Sexual Abuse Material increased by 87 percent from 2019 to 2022.
While known forms of abuse have intensified, new harm trends have also emerged, such as financial sexual extortion and coercion of children.
Emerging evidence has exposed a gap between children’s perceptions of risk, and how harm manifests. This gap exposes shortfalls in the response and creates opportunities for those who seek to harm young people.