A/HRC/31/34
reporting self-generated sexually explicit content to the relevant authority. Secondly, once it
has been confirmed that an image or video of a child is of a sexually explicit nature,
procedures must exist to ensure fast and effective removal of the content.
Sexual extortion or “sextortion”
4.
27.
Self-generated images are sometimes used by perpetrators to manipulate or coerce
children to obtain sexual favours from them. “Sextortion” refers to the process by which a
person is coerced with a view to procure sexual favours, sexual material, money or other
goods. There usually is a perceived imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the
victim allowing the perpetrator to exert coercive pressure on the victim to accede to sexual
or monetary demands. The sexual component in this practice can involve demands for all
types of sexual activity, such as exposing private body parts, posing for sexual photographs
or submitting to physical abuse.
28.
Many young people and children sharing self-generated sexual content online do not
take any steps to conceal their identity or location. This increases the risk of extortion by
perpetrators using identifying information and personal information to coerce the victim. In
additionally, when the extortion results in the dissemination of self-generated indecent
images online, this can result in other negative consequences for the victims, such as
cyberbullying, further victimizing the child.
5.
Child sexual abuse live streaming
29.
In recent years, rising Internet coverage, the availability of improved broadband
connections and mobile technology combined with other social and cultural factors in the
developing world have facilitated the emergence of an evolving form of child online sexual
exploitation: child sexual abuse live streaming. 14 In this case, adults pay to direct and view
a live video of children performing sexual acts in front of a webcam. The practice
transcends borders, given that the viewer may be located in any part of the world without
the need to travel, which makes detection and enforcement more difficult.
C.
Risk factors increasing vulnerability
30.
While Internet coverage is spreading rapidly across the globe, its development is not
equal, with online connectivity varying greatly from one country to another. Moreover,
children may interact with the Internet in different ways, which makes them vulnerable to
different risks.
31.
In poorer countries, children who have access to the Internet may be particularly
vulnerable to online solicitation because their economic situation may pressure them into
accepting propositions that include payment. 15 At the same time, parents and teachers might
be unaware of the online risks involved, effectively removing an important source of
support and protection for children.
32.
Different age groups experience online risks in different ways and are also targeted
differently. Younger children may be particularly vulnerable online because they lack
technical expertise and the ability to identify possible risks. According to figures compiled
by the Internet Watch Foundation, more than 80 per cent of victims in known child sexual
14
15
8
See Save the Children, “Webcam Child Sex Tourism. Becoming Sweetie: a novel approach to
stopping the global rise of Webcam Child Sex Tourism”.
Warren J. Blumenfeld and R.M. Cooper, “LGBT and Allied Youth Responses to Cyberbullying:
Policy implications”, International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, vol. 3, No. 1, 2010.
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