The internet, a powerful tool for connection, exploration, and creativity, unfortunately also harbors significant risks, particularly when it comes to Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA). In Tanzania, a substantial proportion of children aged 12-17 are online, exposing them to potential dangers. This case study delves into C-Sema’s comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to combatting Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) in the country.
Approximately 67% of children aged 12-17 use the internet in our country. Alarmingly, the Disrupting Harm 2022 report estimates that 200,000 children in this age group experienced OCSEA within just one year. Additionally, between 2017 and 2019, the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported receiving 20,625 Cyber tips related to Tanzania. These tips, primarily from Facebook, was concerning suspected Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
In response to these concerning statistics, we developed and implemented a robust strategy that addresses online child sexual abuse through prevention, intervention, and awareness initiatives. One of the cornerstones of our approach is the National Child Helpline (116). The helpline's extensive outreach across Tanzania encourages both children and community members to report instances of OCSEA, enabling timely intervention and support for victims and survivors.
Another key component of our strategy involves the removal of harmful online images. We have been collaborating with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to address the distribution of such images through a specific online portal. This partnership allows for the swift removal of identified images, which is crucial for preventing further victimisation and protecting children from exploitation online.
Awareness campaigns form another vital aspect of our initiatives in combating OCSEA. In October 2019, we partnered with #ElimikaWikiendi to raise awareness about various facets of OCSEA. This campaign featured daily social media posts that emphasised the roles of parents, caregivers, and internet service providers in safeguarding children. The campaign reached over 2.8 million people and generated 28.9 million impressions. Also, in November of 2019, C-Sema, alongside Child Helpline International (CHI), hosted the Regional Consultation of Child Helplines in Africa and the MENA regions. This event focused on preventing and responding to OCSEA, engaging the public and insisting on the need for a collective response from all stakeholders.
The following year, with support from UNICEF, we extended our outreach to secondary school students and the broader community to promote safe internet practices. This initiative reached over 6,000 children across 11 schools. While it revealed high awareness among students about online platforms, it also highlighted a knowledge gap among teachers regarding newer platforms that are continuously being created and are popular among children and youths. This discrepancy points to the need for increased awareness among educators and parents to better support children’s online safety.
From 2019 to 2022, we were a pivotal participant in the Disrupting Harm project, a research initiative that provided insights into online child sexual exploitation across 13 countries. This project delivered essential findings and recommendations to enhance prevention and response systems for OCSEA. Building on this, we are now implementing recommendations from the Disrupting Harm survey in phase four of the KUWAZA project, which focuses on Sexual Violence Against Children (SVAC). Furthermore, in phase three of the KUWAZA project, we developed a topic on OCSEA for the SVAC prevention toolkit, aimed at training children aged 7-14, parents, teachers, local government authorities, and religious leaders.
We would like to think that the impact of our initiatives has been evident. The National Child Helpline (116) and online image removal efforts have remarkably improved responses to OCSEA incidents, helping to protect children and prevent further abuse. Awareness campaigns, training, and school outreach programs have raised public understanding of online safety issues. However, ongoing efforts are still very necessary to educate all stakeholders, including children, teachers, and parents. Collaborations with organisations like IWF and the Tanzania Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, along with participation in international research projects, have strengthened our capacity to understand and address OCSEA comprehensively.
Lessons learned from these efforts tell us the need for continuous education about emerging online threats and the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement. Effective prevention and response require coordinated efforts across government, civil society, and private organizations. As the saying goes, ''many hands make light work.''
Prepared by C-Sema's Communications Team.
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