Massive Public Support for Stricter Regulation Against Online Child Sexual Abuse
Justice Initiative Petition Handover ● Survivors and advocates deliver 540,000 signatures at event with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and Members of the European Parliament Hilde Vautman and Catharina Rinzema ● Photo Credit: The Justice Initiative
BRUSSELS, December 7, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - In a landmark move, advocates for child protection delivered over 540,000 signatures to the European Union, demanding stronger legislation against online child sexual abuse. This mass mobilization underscores the public's call for action amidst ongoing global discussions on child safety online. The petition, coordinated by the Justice Initiative, was presented at the European Parliament on December 6th, drawing attention from prominent figures including European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, Members of the European Parliament, and former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large John Cotton Richmond.
View photos from the event below
At the event, survivor advocate Mie Kohyiama voiced concerns about the current legislative approach in the European Parliament, stating, “The compromise is a clear step back in the protection of children online.” This sentiment echoes a wider call for robust measures against online child abuse, a challenge accentuated by 2022's staggering 32 million reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation globally. Advocates, survivors, and policymakers are united in their stance against the dilution of proposed regulations, advocating for legislation that effectively combats this pervasive issue.
Guido Fluri of the Justice Initiative emphasized the EU's influence in shaping global internet policies, remarking, “What the EU decides to do about the sexual abuse images on the internet will have repercussions around the world.” This sentiment is reinforced by upcoming pivotal events, including testimony from tech CEOs to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on January 31st, addressing online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Adding to the chorus of voices demanding action, Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, highlighted the urgency of the situation: “This is a decisive moment. I urge you to listen to the silent majority, to listen to the survivors and support my proposal, to protect children from the worst crime imaginable.”
With the European Union at a critical juncture in deciding the final text of the proposed legislation, the impact of this petition and the voices of survivors and advocates are key to shaping a safer online environment for children worldwide.
Source: The Justice Initiative via Newswire
