What is online child sexual exploitation?
Online child sexual exploitation is the use of technology or the internet to sexually take advantage of a child, or to create or share child sexual abuse material.
What is child sexual abuse material?
Child sexual abuse material (or ‘CSAM’) refers to material that shows the sexual abuse of a child. This can include images, videos, or live-streamed content that depict real children or young people.
The term ‘child sexual exploitation material’ is also used to include all other sexualised material depicting children, for example sextortion.
What should I do if I see or find content that I think is illegal?
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) investigates people who create, collect or share child sexual abuse material. If you see any content that you believe is illegal, you should leave the website immediately and report it to their Digital Child Exploitation team:
Help for harmful sexual behaviours
If you are concerned about your own activity or someone else’s sexual behaviour, talking to a professional can help:
- Safe to talk (external link)is a sexual harm helpline that provides confidential help and support 24/7. You can talk to trained specialists for free on 0800 044 334 or by free texting 4334.
- Safe Network (external link)provides specialist services for concerning and harmful sexual behaviour towards or involving children and minors throughout the upper North Island. For all enquiries phone 09 377 9898 or email help@safenetwork.org.nz.
- WellStop (external link)is a community-based organisation that aims to eliminate harmful sexual behaviour in communities across the lower North Island. For help and support call 04 566 4745 or visit their website.
- STOP (external link)provides community-based assessment and intervention services for adolescents and adults in the South Island who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour and for children with concerning sexual behaviours. You can contact them on 03 353 0257 or by emailing info@stop.org.nz.