Over One Million Attempts To Access Child Sexual Exploitation Material Blocked In 2024
Alongside the 1,032,683 access attempts to websites known to harbour child sexual exploitation material being blocked, 16,223 referrals were received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to NZ Police, DIA and NZ Customs Services, an 18 percent decrease in referrals compared to 2023. 2,822 of those were assigned to the Department. The content referred to DIA continues to be of significantly high harm and includes child sexual exploitation and abuse, bestiality, and necrophilia.
'Every day, videos and images are created depicting the violent sexual harm of children for the sexual gratification of offenders' says Tim Houston, Manager Digital Child Exploitation.
'This content shows the worst moment of a victim's life, and each time it viewed and shared, they are re-victimised.'
The Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System is a web filter designed to block access to websites identified as hosting illegal child sexual abuse material. By providing this protective layer, the filtering system helps safeguard New Zealanders who might inadvertently visit flagged sites. This system is integrated with most Internet Service Providers across New Zealand.
The Digital Child Exploitation team also have a reputation for being a highly effective investigative team. Throughout the year, 60 search warrants were executed, and 235 devices seized, which led to 14 children safeguarded from further risk of harm. 13 offenders were successfully prosecuted for possessing, distributing and /or creating objectionable (illegal) material.
Many of the remaining investigations that did not lead to a search warrant were handed over to overseas partner agencies and domestic partners in New Zealand Police or New Zealand Customs Service for further investigation.
'Protecting and safeguarding children is at the heart of what we do. The fight against the spread of child sexual abuse material is a collective responsibility,' says Tim Houston.
'We work tirelessly alongside our partners in NZ Police, NZ Customs Service and Oranga Tamariki. Without these ongoing partnerships we could not protect the most vulnerable members of society from further harm – our Tamariki.'
The Transparency Report outlines the findings of all Digital Child Exploitation investigations in 2024, which were worked on alongside NZ Police, NZ Customs and Oranga Tamariki.
In February, the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) awarded two of the Department's senior investigators with a Group Director General's Commendation, the highest level of award bestowed by the NCA. This award highlighted investigators' commitment and contribution to a UK operation that resulted in at least 355 arrests and 66 charges, with 164 subjects released under investigation. It also led to the safeguarding of 79 children and a further 88 children being protected.
'Offenders often operate across jurisdictions, and we are proud to prioritise collaboration with our international partners to respond and address reports of child sexual abuse material.'
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