The Child Welfare Officer, Jhoree Rattan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChild Welfare Officer (CWO) Jhoree Rattan explains what the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare is doing to assist victims of child pornography and how to raise awareness about the phenomenon.
When a case of child pornography is referred to the Child Development Unit (CDU), this unit works in collaboration with the Family Protection Brigade. She works for the well-being of the child and the family. However, the criminal aspects of the case are being handled by the Family Protection Brigade and the police.<\/p>\n
The CDU also provides psychological support to the child and their family. If necessary, the child may be temporarily placed in a reception center for investigation.<\/p>\n
The case is also referred to the reception center of the Mauritius Family Planning Welfare Association. There, the child and the family will continue to receive support.<\/p>\n
The CDU regularly organises campaigns against child pornography in schools, colleges, youth centres, community centres, social centres, NGOs and through the media.<\/p>\n
The CDU works closely with the National Children's Council (NCC). At the NCC, there is the project “Parents' Sharing Workshop”. During this workshop, they discuss sexual abuse and child pornography.<\/p>\n
For the ministry, educating children, parents and the public about child pornography is very important in the fight against this phenomenon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Why is child pornography growing on social media?<\/h3>\n
Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. First, social media offers easy accessibility and often a level of anonymity, allowing malicious individuals to share and consume illegal content without revealing their identity. They allow users to connect with people around the world, facilitating the rapid and widespread distribution of child pornography. <\/p>\n
Next, you should know that some social media platforms host secret groups or communities where individuals share illegal content. These groups typically use sophisticated codes and methods to avoid detection, including coded hashtags, superimposed images, or disguised file formats to evade automated detection. This is why the use of technologies like encryption and ephemeral sharing platforms (where messages disappear after a certain period of time) make it more difficult for authorities to monitor and track illegal activities.<\/p>\n
Additionally, some people use social media to monetize child pornography content, creating lucrative distribution networks that are motivated by profit. Additionally, moderation on social media is a constant challenge, especially with the enormous volume of content generated daily. Platforms often struggle to quickly identify and remove child pornography content.<\/p>\n
What recourse is available to victims of child pornography?<\/h3>\n
They have several remedies. These are:
File a complaint at the police station in the area where the child pornography offense was committed.
The minor child must be accompanied by an adult to file a complaint. The case will then be referred to the Brigade for the Protection of Minors for the purposes of the investigation.
Victims or their parents can report cases of child pornography to the National Cybercrime Unit (NCU).<\/p>\n
\n
What support is offered to victims?<\/h3>\n
The Child Protection Act provides specific protections to child victims of sexual exploitation, including child pornography. Psychological and social support is provided by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare. <\/p>\n
Several non-governmental organizations in Mauritius also work to protect children and support victims of sexual exploitation. They can provide psychological, social and legal support. Victims can also obtain legal assistance to bring perpetrators to justice. Lawyers specializing in child protection can be consulted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
How to combat this scourge?<\/h3>\n
Introducing stricter laws and tougher penalties for those who produce, distribute or consume child pornography can deter these activities. Additionally, there is a need to educate the public, including children, parents and educators, about the dangers of child pornography and how to report this crime to help combat this exploitation. Note that the government and NGOs regularly organize awareness programs to inform the public about the dangers of child pornography and prevention measures.<\/p>\n
Additionally, collaboration between governments, law enforcement, NGOs, and technology companies is important to track and eliminate child pornography networks. Eventually, social networks can invest in advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to more effectively detect and remove child sexual abuse content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Child pornography: implications and impacts<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n