The European Child Sexual Abuse Legislative Advocacy Group (ECLAG) believes in a society where all children are safe from sexual abuse and exploitation, both online and offline, with consistent safeguards, safe by design child-centred digital environments, and effective laws and cooperation across borders that protect their rights and well-being.
Protect every child from
sexual abuse, online and offline
ECLAG's vision
To make this vision a reality, ECLAG works to ensure that the EU adopts and implements robust, child-rights based legislation and policies to prevent, detect, remove, and respond to child sexual abuse and exploitation. We do this by speaking with a unified, evidence-informed voice, strengthened by insights from front-line practice and grounded in technical and policy expertise.
Whoever you are, you can play a role in protecting children and their rights.
Key data
1
''
Every second, at least 2 images or videos of child sexual abuse are shared online.
4
M+
In 2025, there were over four million suspected online records of child sexual abuse material identified and exchanged through INHOPE hotlines, more than a 450% increase compared to 2024.
91
%
In 2025, children aged 3 to 13 continued to make up the vast majority of victims seen in child sexual abuse material (91%)
63
%
In total, the EU hosted 63% of the child sexual abuse URLs found worldwide
Want to see more figures to really understand the scale of the issue?
Have a look at our key data page.
What is the issue
We are facing a child sexual abuse crisis as the sexual abuse of children is escalating at alarming rates. It is increasing in scale, severity and violence. The internet and new technologies are amplifying this abuse. Perpetrators have easy access to children through social media, and videos and pictures of children being sexually abused can be easily accessed and circulated with a couple of clicks.
“They would discuss where to find children, how to “train” them, how to get them to keep quiet, exchange user names, films and pictures and brag about what they had done.”
— Alba, survivor
About the coalition
The ECLAG coalition is formed of more than 80 child rights organisations working across the EU to raise awareness of the pressing need to protect children against child sexual abuse and exploitation. The coalition’s Steering Group comprises ECPAT International, Eurochild, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Missing Children Europe, Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Thorn.
Latest updates
“Choose to See Them”: ECLAG campaign calls for a strong, permanent EU regulation against child sexual abuse
“Choose to See Them”: ECLAG campaign calls for a strong, permanent EU regulation against child sexual abuse
Back to school campaign: a reminder Europe cannot afford to forget
Back to school campaign: a reminder Europe cannot afford to forget
Child rights organisations welcome renewal of Interim Derogation on child sexual abuse, urging swift action on a permanent framework
Child rights organisations welcome renewal of Interim Derogation on child sexual abuse, urging swift action on a permanent framework
ECLAG Statement on Trilogue Agreement on the recast Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material
ECLAG Statement on Trilogue Agreement on the recast Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material
Featured Resources
Everyone can make a difference
Whatever your role, you can help create momentum for stronger protection for children online.
I am a Policymaker
Help deliver a safer digital environment for children.
I am a Journalist
Help bring children’s stories into the conversation.
I am a Citizen
Your voice matters: choose to see children.
