How to Recognize Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Online?
Revealing clothing, age-inappropriate posing… Is there really something wrong with the photo, or does it just seem that way?
For over a year, Ukraine has had an official reporting platform for materials related to child sexual abuse online — StopCrime.
Reports can be submitted anonymously at https://stopcrime.ua/net-crime.
However, for proper investigation and content removal, it’s crucial to provide the exact link to the unwanted material — particularly nude photos or videos involving minors.
But what if you’re unsure whether the material is actually illegal? How can you recognize it?
Here are some guidelines from Maryana Hevko, psychologist at the “Barnahus” center in Ternopil region and project manager for the iDOCU/CLUB network:
“These may be real photos or videos, but child sexual abuse material (CSAM) also includes computer-generated content. If a sexual act involving a child is depicted — or any sexual activity such as masturbation — even if only in the presence of a child, it qualifies. We define it as abuse because of the power imbalance. Children do not give consent, even if their actions appear voluntary…”
For the average person, identifying CSAM can be difficult, especially because perpetrators go to great lengths to disguise it. Still, there are signs that should raise red flags:
- Images or videos with a clearly sexual context, even if the child is not nude;
- Unusual poses or clothing inappropriate for the child’s age;
- A child engaging in behaviors not typical for their developmental stage;
- The child looks scared, withdrawn, or uncomfortable;
- Files have strange or encrypted names;
- Content is shared in closed groups, forums, the dark web, or private messengers;
- The use of coded language or tags often used by predators (e.g., “cute,” “loli”);
- Presence of adults who appear to be controlling the child;
- Images or videos show signs of editing, facial blurring, or background manipulation.
In Summary: If a photo or video makes you feel that something isn’t right, but you’re unsure whether the child is in danger — it’s always best to act.
Send the materials to the analysts at the StopCrime portal:
https://stopcrime.ua/net-crime