World Vision Australia To Fight Online Child Abuse

World Vision Australia has joined the Virtual Global Taskforce

World Vision Australia will tackle online child sexual abuse and exploitation in a partnership with an international law enforcement body.

The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is a group of law enforcement agencies that include the Australian Federal Police, INTERPOL, and EUROPOL. The group works to prevent child sexual exploitation on the internet.

World Vision Australia is one of four new organisations to have joined the international taskforce.

Chief Executive of World Vision Australia Tim Costello commended the VGT for its collaborative approach, saying World Vision Australia is thrilled to be partnering with global law enforcement leaders on this important issue.

“As the internet opens up a borderless online world it is vital that organisations work together to protect children,” Costello said.

World Vision’s role in the new alliance is to harness the perspectives of children, enhance safety messages and methods, and conduct analysis on emerging trends and best practices in preventing and responding to child exploitation online, according to Costello.

Chair of VGT Neil Gaughan said these new partnerships are valuable to the group and vital to wiping out online child sexual exploitation globally.

“When it comes to combating online child sexual exploitation, a collaborative approach is critical. I am pleased to welcome these new organisations to the VGT,” Gaughan said.

“World Vision Australia has access to invaluable information on emerging trends and best practice in preventing and responding to child sexual exploitation.”

Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, a team of lawyers, investigators, technical analysts working to make the Internet safer, have also joined VGT along with World Vision.