The ACCCE is a collaboration of law enforcement and government agencies and organisations with the aim to prevent online child sexual exploitation. This section provides information to help you report inappropriate, harmful or criminal activities that have occurred to children online. This information is for people who live in Australia only.
- Collecting evidence
- Online child sexual exploitation/online grooming
- Removal of inappropriate, offensive or illegal content
- Image-based abuse
- Cyber Bullying
- Travelling Child Sex Offenders
- Report Cyber Crime
- Report a scam
- Reporting Outside Australia
If you think a child is in immediate danger call Triple Zero (OOO) or your local police. If you prefer to report anonymously, you can visit Crime Stoppers or call their toll free number 1800 333 000.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by child sex abuse and online exploitation, had an uncomfortable situation online, or need someone to talk to there is help and support available, visit our support page for more information.
Collecting evidence
If you are concerned about the possibility that your child, or a child you know of, is at risk, it’s important you act on it. Collect evidence of what is happening, as long as it is safe to do so.
When making a report, it is helpful to collect evidence before the content is removed to show police exactly what happened. This includes:
- Screenshots/photos of the conversation (remember to not screenshot, save, share or distribute any explicit images of the underage person as this is an offence).
- Record of social media details (including account profile, profile usernames and URL of profile)
- Webpage addresses (URLs)
- Dates and times
- Any other information you have about the interaction or suspect.
It’s important to capture this information before blocking or deleting the user or you may lose important evidence.
The eSafety Commissioner has compiled a comprehensive suite of advice on why and how to collect evidence. This also includes a series of 'how to' videos.
Online child sexual exploitation/online grooming
Online child sexual exploitation most commonly includes grooming, live streaming, consuming child sexual abuse material and coercing and blackmailing children for sexual purposes.
When making a report, it is helpful to collect evidence before the content is removed to show police exactly what happened. This includes chat, photos or videos by taking screenshots or photos. Where possible record the webpage addresses (URLs), social media details (including account or profile usernames), dates/times and any other information that you think is relevant.
Report online child exploitation
Removal of inappropriate, offensive or illegal content
If you encounter a description or depiction of child sexual abuse online, child abuse material (CAM) or other offensive and illegal content, you can report it to the eSafety Commissioner. The eSafety Commissioner works with the global INHOPE network to achieve rapid takedown of CAM hosted overseas, and cooperates closely with Australian law enforcement when CAM is hosted in Australia.
Report inappropriate, offensive or illegal content
Image-based abuse
Image-based abuse occurs when intimate, nude or sexual images are distributed without the consent of the person pictured. This includes real, altered and drawn pictures and videos. The sharing of intimate images without consent can have serious consequences.
Creating, possessing and/or sharing sexualised images of people under 18 years can be a criminal offence and can be considered child sexual exploitation material and should be reported to law enforcement.
The eSafety Commissioner has a range of powers to help with the removal of intimate images or videos and, in some cases, take civil action against the person who shared the content without consent.
Cyberbullying
The eSafety Commissioner operates a complaints scheme to tackle serious cyberbullying affecting an Australian child. Working with social media companies, they have powers to assist the rapid removal of material when it is seriously threatening, seriously humiliating, seriously harassing, or seriously intimidating.
Travelling Child Sex Offenders
It is a crime for Australians to travel overseas to engage in, encourage or benefit from sexual activity with children (under 16 years of age). The AFP works closely with State and Territory police, other Commonwealth agencies and international law enforcement partners to prevent, disrupt, investigate and prosecute these types of offences. Assist the AFP in combating this global problem. Report information regarding child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism.
Report travelling child sex offenders
Report cyber crime
ReportCyber is a national online system to securely report instances of cybercrime. It also provides advice to help people recognise and avoid types of cybercrime. In Australia, cybercrime refers to crimes such as fraud, scams and harassment. Report to ReportCyber in the first instance or your local police.
Report a scam
ScamWatch is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). It provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.
Reporting outside Australia
The ACCCE uses the internationally recognised Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) logo and report abuse button to support VGT’s delivery of a coordinated international law enforcement response to online child sexual abuse.
Reporting from outside Australia