The Duchess of Edinburgh and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips are set to travel to Brussels on Wednesday, where they will join European politicians in a renewed effort to tackle online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Their visit comes amid growing concerns over the rising prevalence of extreme child abuse material online, with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reporting a 22% increase in its most severe category of images between 2022 and 2023 – the worst year on record.
Royal and political advocacy for stronger protections
As patron of the NSPCC and Plan International UK, the Duchess of Edinburgh has been a vocal advocate for child protection. During the Brussels gathering, hosted by the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights, she will address senior politicians on the urgent need for greater safeguards to protect children from exploitation online.
Meanwhile, Home Office Minister Jess Phillips will speak on a panel alongside other political figures, where she is expected to urge European governments to strengthen their efforts in tackling the growing threat of online child sexual abuse.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Ms Phillips warned of the devastating impact of this crime, which she described as a global crisis requiring an international response.
“Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime that is impacting more and more children, victims and survivors in all of our communities across the world, and the effects can last a lifetime,” she said.
“This most devastating of crimes transcends international borders – victims are often exploited in their homes by offenders across the globe using platforms that are headquartered in many different countries.”
She emphasised the urgent need for international collaboration, calling for governments, tech companies, police, and law enforcement to take stronger action.
“Enough is enough. We must act now and urgently see strong action from governments, tech, frontline professionals, police and law enforcement,” she said.
Alarming rise in online child abuse content
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which monitors child sexual abuse images and works to have them removed, has reported an alarming rise in extreme content being shared online.
- The number of Category A images – the most serious classification – increased by 22% in just one year.
- The IWF described 2023 as the worst year on record for child sexual abuse material online.
- Criminals are increasingly using encrypted messaging services and artificial intelligence to create and share illegal material, making it harder to track and remove.
These figures have prompted renewed calls for tighter laws and stronger enforcement measures to prevent the spread of such material and protect children from exploitation.
UK Government’s plans for tougher laws
As part of its domestic efforts to combat the rise of online child sexual abuse, the UK Government has pledged to introduce stronger laws aimed at clamping down on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in producing illegal content.
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The Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, will make it illegal to create or own AI tools specifically designed to generate child sexual abuse images.
This legislation is part of a broader strategy to target emerging threats, including online platforms that facilitate exploitation and criminal networks that use advanced technology to evade detection.
A global approach to a growing crisis
The joint visit between a senior Royal and a Government minister highlights the UK’s commitment to tackling online child abuse at both a national and international level.
While the Duchess of Edinburgh continues to use her platform to raise awareness and advocate for victims and survivors, Jess Phillips is calling for concrete policy changes and urging European leaders to strengthen their collective efforts.
Their message is clear: the fight against online child sexual abuse must be a global priority, and governments, tech companies, and law enforcement agencies must act swiftly to prevent further harm to vulnerable children.
