COVID-19 has created the "perfect sexual exploitation storm": traffickers and child victims are both at home online. Global experts are currently reporting a tremendous surge in child sexual abuse material (photos, videos, and live-streaming abuse). The HUG Project Thailand is equipping an Investigation Room at the Children's Advocacy Center in Chiang Mai to help specially trained police use technology to track down and arrest child sex offenders; and to identify, locate, and rescue victims.
With much of the world on lockdown, Global experts are currently reporting a tremendous surge in child sexual abuse material (photos, videos, and live-streaming abuse) even on popular internet platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The COVID-19 pandemic is driving both the demand (for new and more violent content) as well as the supply (as economic desperation increases risk for the most vulnerable). Tech companies who are being inundated with reports are also overwhelmed with other issues now.
The HUG Project Thailand works closely with a specially-trained police task force: TICAC (Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children). The project seeks to equip an Investigation Room at the Children's Advocacy Center in Chiang Mai to help law enforcement track down and arrest child sex offenders; and to identify, locate, and rescue child victims. Our goal is to set up 5 - 6 computer investigation stations at a cost of approximately $1800 per station. We have the expertise. We need the equipment.
This project has two long-term goals: to convict offenders, and to care for victims. Through the arrest and prosecution of internet sex offenders, more children will be safe from grooming and abuse online. Further, as more children are identified and rescued from harm, the HUG Project can provide free counseling and other services such as medical care, housing, legal assistance, and educational scholarships. The long-term benefits are immeasurable. But, to restore, we must first find and rescue.
