Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children

Law enforcement, policymakers, educators and frontline workers face complex challenges in effectively tackling online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). Content moderators – individuals who are charged with constantly surveilling and removing traumatic images and videos of child sexual abuse - are a growing group of professionals in tech industry who are facing similar experiences in combating these crimes. This presentation will provide more understanding around not only the impacts of exposure to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on professionals charged with tackling these crimes but also what works – and what does not work – for effective coping strategies. The presenters in this session will share insights and tools from a study led by Middlesex University, in partnership with INHOPE and with the support of End Violence Partnership and the Tech Coalition. Key aims of the session are to highlight the expertise of professionals dealing with these crimes, where and how they most need support, and ways to collaborate across sectors in this work to keep children safe online.