United States and Australia Join Forces to Tackle Global Online Child Exploitation

Canberra and Washington have taken a joint step forward to combat online child sexual exploitation. Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have convened the inaugural meeting of a joint council on tackling the issue. “Online child sexual exploitation and abuse is increasingly prevalent, commodified, and worsened by the speed, scale, and scope of digital technologies. New and emerging technologies, like generative artificial intelligence (AI), have further exacerbated risk of harm to youth, but also provide opportunities to tackle the threat,” reads a joint statement.

“The United States and Australia are steadfast in combatting all forms of child exploitation and abuse.” Mr. Dreyfus said they have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable group of the society.“Online child sexual exploitation and abuse has a devastating impact on victims and survivors,” he said on Nov. 19.