Work to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse

There are several joint initiatives to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse, working with the wider sector. These include:

• New Zealand Customs Service funded to provide enhanced services to combat child sexual exploitation across the cyber border. This initiative aims to reduce the creation and distribution of abuse imagery, reduce the number of children who are sexually abused, and prevent further abuse of previously abused children.
• Taskforce Ruru – a dedicated Victim Identification team from across DIA, Police and NZ Customs who share training, tools and the processing of victim identification work throughout the year.
• The launch of the Combating Child Sexual Exploitation Group, which includes the three lead agencies and NGOs. The group is developing and running collaborative initiatives, projects and campaigns to combat child sexual exploitation.  
• A programme of trials to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse has been expanded to include a wider set of government agencies and NGOs
• Development of 11 Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, to help the tech industry to adhere to prevent and protect children being exploited on their platforms.
• A memorandum of understanding between DIA, the UK National Crime Agency and the Child Rescue Coalition, to allow information sharing, collaborative working, and enhance capability within New Zealand to address child sexual exploitation.
• Introduction of The Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Urgent Interim Classification of Publications and Prevention of Online Harm) Amendment Bill in May 2020.