Become a partner in our mission of building a world where every child is protected and can thrive.
MAKE A DONATION
At ICMEC Australia, we believe that effective responses to child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) must be grounded in evidence. We are dedicated to building a stronger knowledge base around the evolving nature, impacts, and drivers of CSEA to develop an informed response.
Through partnerships with universities, researchers, and the broader child protection community, we support and undertake research that identifies emerging threats and explores what works in prevention, detection, and response. Whether it's analysing the economic impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation, studying offender behaviours, or supporting the next generation of researchers, our goal is to ensure the sector has access to robust data and insights to inform better policy, practice, and advocacy.
ICMEC Australia has launched a research project to study the costs of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in Australia. “Cost” is defined as something that has or is likely to have a monetary, financial, economic, or expenditure impact in some way. The study conceptualises the multi-faceted nature of the costs associated with child sexual exploitation, particularly facilitated by online technology. The research takes this focus because it presents a significant knowledge gap, but one which is important for a holistic understanding and response to OCSEA.
Dr Jonah Rimer, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Convenor of Postgraduate Cyber Criminology at the University of Queensland, was selected to lead this study.
Please find the full report titled Costs of online child sexual exploitation and abuse in Australia: An initial review below.
The full report includes one-page summaries for government or corporate audiences in the appendices.
This research will be shared across the child protection sector and broader community, enhancing discussions with government and industry about the impact of CSEA, the need for more comprehensive approaches, and strengthening the evidence base for organisations and professionals dedicated to countering and preventing CSEA.
A summary of the cost categories and costs identified in the research can be found below.
In 2024, ICMEC Australia partnered with the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Social Science program for an applied research project. Five final-year students have completed a year-long research project developed in collaboration with ICMEC Australia and their academic supervisors.
Their research focused on: ‘Exploring the social, policy, and legislative implications of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.’
As perpetrators of child sexual exploitation continue to adapt to technological advancements, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), this evolving crime highlights the necessity of ongoing research to uncover data-driven insights and evidence-based solutions.
This initiative has provided valuable insights that will inform our work and contribute to the broader child protection response community.
We are proud to have supported these students, who are driven by a passion to make a difference in this dynamic field, and we celebrate their contributions to this critical area.
ICMEC Australia is proud to have served as the gold sponsor for the inaugural CSARRN Workshop held in Adelaide in 2023. This unique initiative reflects our mission to facilitate cross-sector collaboration and strengthen the evidence base around reducing and preventing child sexual abuse.
Established in 2023 by a group of dedicated researchers committed to combatting child sexual abuse, CSARRN’s inaugural workshop, hosted by the University of Adelaide, brought together key researchers and thought leaders from global institutions and Australia’s world-leading research teams. The event facilitated the sharing of work, the fostering of new collaborations, and the development of unified solutions to address child sexual abuse better.
ICMEC Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and Elders past and present.
