One in ten children aged 12–17 in Macedonia are victims of online sexual exploitation

According to the “Disrupting Harm” study, a multi-year programme funded by Safe Online and implemented by ECPAT International, INTERPOL and the UNICEF Office of Research and Foresight – Innocenti, in partnership with national institutions and organisations, one in ten children aged 12 to 17 in Macedonia have experienced technology-facilitated sexual abuse and exploitation.

Presenting the findings today, UNICEF Representative in Macedonia Leslie Miller emphasised that the report includes the voices and cases reported by children, as well as data from families and professionals involved in child protection, education, policing and justice.

Citing data from the year under review, Miller said that one in ten children aged 12 to 17 had experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation, equivalent to around 12,000 children across the country. Almost half of them experienced more than one form of abuse, while 88 per cent disclosed it to a close relative or friend. However, only one per cent reported the abuse to the authorities. Boys and girls are abused equally, and in many cases the abuser is someone the child knows: a friend, intimate partner, acquaintance or family member.

She explained that the research was conducted in 25 countries around the world and represents a global initiative of unique value. Miller stressed that the study helps them understand not only the situation children face, but also where the system is failing and where it needs to be strengthened.