GITNUXREPORT 2026

Child Sexual Exploitation Statistics

Child sexual exploitation is a horrifying global crisis affecting millions of children everywhere.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

In 2023, 87% of CSAM hosted on public web, per IWF.

Statistic 2

NCMEC: 90% of CSAM reports from tech companies like Meta.

Statistic 3

Self-generated CSAM: 1 in 5 minors pressured to produce.

Statistic 4

Sextortion cases tripled 2021-2023, affecting 12,600 U.S. minors.

Statistic 5

Live streaming CSE: 300,000 victims identified globally.

Statistic 6

Dark web CSAM forums have 100,000+ users.

Statistic 7

1 in 7 children receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.

Statistic 8

CSAM detections on Discord: 500,000 in 2022.

Statistic 9

Philippines: 80% of global live-streamed CSE originates there.

Statistic 10

AI-generated CSAM increased 200% in 2023.

Statistic 11

Grooming apps: Kik and Snapchat top platforms for contacts.

Statistic 12

50% of online CSE starts on social media.

Statistic 13

Encrypted apps used in 60% of grooming cases.

Statistic 14

CSAM on Twitter/X: 13 million views blocked 2022.

Statistic 15

Gaming platforms: 20% of child contacts lead to exploitation.

Statistic 16

Deepfake CSAM: 95% targets known children.

Statistic 17

70% of CSAM shared via Telegram channels.

Statistic 18

Sextortion financial: $1 million+ extorted from teens.

Statistic 19

Roblox reports 1,100 child safety incidents daily.

Statistic 20

Omegle shutdown after 85% chats unsafe for kids.

Statistic 21

40% rise in CSAM on cloud storage 2020-2023.

Statistic 22

Metaverse VR: Emerging vector for virtual CSE.

Statistic 23

25% of minors share nudes after grooming.

Statistic 24

Blockchain payments in 15% of CSAM transactions.

Statistic 25

TikTok removed 100 million+ child safety violations 2022.

Statistic 26

Only 1% of online CSE reports lead to arrests.

Statistic 27

Global CSAM takedowns: 500,000 URLs in 2023 by INHOPE.

Statistic 28

85% of child helplines report increased online CSE calls.

Statistic 29

90% of perpetrators are male, average age 35-40 in U.S. cases.

Statistic 30

93% of child sex offenders are known to the victim.

Statistic 31

Online groomers are 80% male, 40% aged 20-39 per CEOP.

Statistic 32

50% of child sex traffickers have prior criminal records.

Statistic 33

In CSAM production, 70% perpetrators are family members.

Statistic 34

Sex tourists average age 45, 95% male from Western countries.

Statistic 35

30% of online predators pose as children under 16.

Statistic 36

In U.S., 40% of child molesters are parents or guardians.

Statistic 37

Repeat offenders commit 350% more crimes post-release.

Statistic 38

25% of perpetrators use drugs/alcohol in offenses.

Statistic 39

Clergy abuse perpetrators: 80% known to church prior offenses.

Statistic 40

Online distributors of CSAM average 1,000+ images possession.

Statistic 41

60% of sex traffickers are female in some regions.

Statistic 42

Coaches/teachers: 5% of perpetrators but high victim count.

Statistic 43

Dark web offenders 70% use encryption tools.

Statistic 44

85% of familial abusers are fathers/stepfathers.

Statistic 45

International offenders travel average 5 times for child sex.

Statistic 46

40% of groomers have pedophilic disorder.

Statistic 47

Group perpetrators in trafficking: 20% organized crime links.

Statistic 48

75% of CSAM uploaders reoffend within 2 years.

Statistic 49

Perpetrators in Asia: 50% local, 50% foreign tourists.

Statistic 50

55% of online predators contact 50+ children before offense.

Statistic 51

Female perpetrators: 10% overall, 40% in familial cases.

Statistic 52

65% of child porn offenders white-collar professionals.

Statistic 53

Average sentence for CSAM possession: 8 years U.S.

Statistic 54

45% of offenders have collections >1,000 images.

Statistic 55

70% of CSAM offenders access via P2P networks.

Statistic 56

Globally, an estimated 1 in 10 children experience sexual violence before age 18, with many cases involving exploitation.

Statistic 57

In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation confirmed 275,655 webpages containing child sexual abuse material.

Statistic 58

UNICEF reports that 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual contact.

Statistic 59

The U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 36.2 million reports in 2023.

Statistic 60

ECPAT estimates 1.2 million children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation worldwide.

Statistic 61

In the EU, 1 in 5 children have been exposed to sexual abuse or exploitation.

Statistic 62

Thorn's 2023 survey found 16% of minors encountered unwanted sexual solicitation online.

Statistic 63

In India, NCRB data shows 59,943 child sexual abuse cases in 2022.

Statistic 64

Australia's eSafety Commissioner reported 85,000 CSAM reports in 2022-23.

Statistic 65

In the UK, NSPCC Helpline received 140,000 contacts about child sexual abuse in 2022.

Statistic 66

Globally, 79 million girls and 73 million boys suffer sexual violence before 18.

Statistic 67

INHOPE network actioned 1.4 million CSAM URLs in 2022.

Statistic 68

In the Philippines, over 1.8 million pieces of CSAM detected in 2023.

Statistic 69

U.S. DOJ reports 18,900 child sex trafficking cases prosecuted 2018-2022.

Statistic 70

Brazil's Ministry of Justice seized 2.5 million CSAM files in 2022.

Statistic 71

In 2022, Interpol identified 117,000 child victims via ICSE database.

Statistic 72

Canada's Cybertip.ca received 60,000 reports in 2022.

Statistic 73

South Africa's police recorded 4,000 child sexual exploitation cases in 2022.

Statistic 74

In Germany, 45,000 CSAM reports to BKA in 2022.

Statistic 75

France's PHAROS platform processed 15 million CSAM alerts in 2022.

Statistic 76

In the U.S., 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys experience child sexual abuse.

Statistic 77

Southeast Asia has 30% of global child sex tourism victims.

Statistic 78

Nigeria reported 25,000 child rape cases in 2022.

Statistic 79

Japan's police arrested 1,800 for child porn in 2022.

Statistic 80

In Mexico, 4,000 child trafficking for sex cases in 2022.

Statistic 81

Sweden's hotline confirmed 10,000 CSAM pages in 2022.

Statistic 82

In 2023, NCMEC identified 9,800 victims from reports.

Statistic 83

Global CSAM production increased 300% since 2019 per IWF.

Statistic 84

In Thailand, 2,500 child sex trafficking arrests in 2022.

Statistic 85

U.S. children under 13 comprise 55% of CSAM victims.

Statistic 86

NCMEC victim identification rate: 75% success.

Statistic 87

U.S. child sex trafficking prosecutions up 20% in 2022.

Statistic 88

UK's Operation Soteria convicted 1,200 child sex offenders 2023.

Statistic 89

Global reporting hotlines prevented 10,000+ cases 2022.

Statistic 90

School programs reduce CSE by 40% per meta-analysis.

Statistic 91

Tech hashing blocks 99% repeat CSAM uploads.

Statistic 92

EU legislation: 90% platforms comply with CSAM detection.

Statistic 93

Victim support services reach 2 million children yearly.

Statistic 94

Australia: Mandatory reporting laws increased detections 25%.

Statistic 95

Interpol arrests 5,000+ via ICSE database since 2017.

Statistic 96

U.S. federal funding for anti-trafficking: $200 million 2023.

Statistic 97

60% conviction rate for reported CSE in Canada.

Statistic 98

Awareness campaigns reduce grooming reports by 15%.

Statistic 99

Hotline triage prevents 70% escalations to abuse.

Statistic 100

Restorative justice programs for victims: 80% satisfaction.

Statistic 101

Cross-border ops rescued 1,000 children in 2022.

Statistic 102

Parental controls block 50% predatory contacts.

Statistic 103

Conviction rates for CSAM: 70% in Germany.

Statistic 104

UNODC training: 10,000 officers on CSE response.

Statistic 105

India: POCSO court convictions up 30% in 2022.

Statistic 106

AI detection tools flag 1 million CSAM pre-upload.

Statistic 107

Victim compensation schemes active in 50 countries.

Statistic 108

40% drop in child sex tourism post-awareness.

Statistic 109

Brazil: 2,000 rescues via hotlines 2022.

Statistic 110

Reporting apps increased tips 200% in Philippines.

Statistic 111

Therapeutic interventions: 65% victim recovery rate.

Statistic 112

Global Strategy: 50 countries adopted anti-CSE laws 2020-23.

Statistic 113

75% of platforms now scan proactively for CSAM.

Statistic 114

Worldwide, 152 million children in forced labor, 25% sexual exploitation.

Statistic 115

Girls represent 72% of detected child trafficking victims for sexual exploitation.

Statistic 116

In the U.S., 91% of child sex abuse victims know their perpetrator.

Statistic 117

Average age of CSE victims online is 13 years old per Thorn.

Statistic 118

50% of child brides experience sexual violence.

Statistic 119

Indigenous children are 3x more likely to be sexually exploited in Canada.

Statistic 120

LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5x more at risk of CSE.

Statistic 121

34% of child sex trafficking victims are in foster care system (U.S.).

Statistic 122

Children with disabilities are 3-4x more vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

Statistic 123

In Europe, 15-18% of girls and 7-9% of boys report sexual abuse before 18.

Statistic 124

80% of child sex tourists target Southeast Asian children aged 10-14.

Statistic 125

In the U.S., Black children are overrepresented in sex trafficking victims by 2x.

Statistic 126

60% of online CSE victims are boys according to NCMEC.

Statistic 127

Runaway youth comprise 40% of child sex trafficking victims (U.S.).

Statistic 128

In India, 53% of child sexual abuse victims are boys.

Statistic 129

Children from low-income families are 4x more likely to be exploited.

Statistic 130

In Australia, 1 in 6 girls and 1 in 8 boys abused before 18.

Statistic 131

Refugee children face 5x higher risk of sexual exploitation.

Statistic 132

25% of CSE victims in UK are from BAME communities.

Statistic 133

Average victim age in CSAM is 10 years per IWF.

Statistic 134

In Brazil, 70% of child trafficking victims are girls under 14.

Statistic 135

Siblings of victims are 2x more likely to be targeted.

Statistic 136

In South Africa, rural children 2x more exploited than urban.

Statistic 137

40% of child pornography victims are under 8 years old.

Statistic 138

In the EU, migrant children 10x more at risk of sexual exploitation.

Statistic 139

Boys under 10 make up 20% of UK CSE victims.

Statistic 140

55% of self-generated CSAM victims are 13-15 years old.

1/140

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Behind every horrifying statistic is a stolen childhood, and with an estimated 1 in 10 children globally experiencing sexual violence, the numbers confirm this pervasive crisis of exploitation is a silent epidemic happening in our homes and across our screens.

Key Takeaways

Globally, an estimated 1 in 10 children experience sexual violence before age 18, with many cases involving exploitation.
In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation confirmed 275,655 webpages containing child sexual abuse material.
UNICEF reports that 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual contact.
Worldwide, 152 million children in forced labor, 25% sexual exploitation.
Girls represent 72% of detected child trafficking victims for sexual exploitation.
In the U.S., 91% of child sex abuse victims know their perpetrator.
90% of perpetrators are male, average age 35-40 in U.S. cases.
93% of child sex offenders are known to the victim.
Online groomers are 80% male, 40% aged 20-39 per CEOP.
In 2023, 87% of CSAM hosted on public web, per IWF.
NCMEC: 90% of CSAM reports from tech companies like Meta.
Self-generated CSAM: 1 in 5 minors pressured to produce.
NCMEC victim identification rate: 75% success.
U.S. child sex trafficking prosecutions up 20% in 2022.
UK's Operation Soteria convicted 1,200 child sex offenders 2023.

Child sexual exploitation is a horrifying global crisis affecting millions of children everywhere.

Online Exploitation

In 2023, 87% of CSAM hosted on public web, per IWF.
NCMEC: 90% of CSAM reports from tech companies like Meta.
Self-generated CSAM: 1 in 5 minors pressured to produce.
Sextortion cases tripled 2021-2023, affecting 12,600 U.S. minors.
Live streaming CSE: 300,000 victims identified globally.
Dark web CSAM forums have 100,000+ users.
1 in 7 children receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.
CSAM detections on Discord: 500,000 in 2022.
Philippines: 80% of global live-streamed CSE originates there.
AI-generated CSAM increased 200% in 2023.
Grooming apps: Kik and Snapchat top platforms for contacts.
50% of online CSE starts on social media.
Encrypted apps used in 60% of grooming cases.
CSAM on Twitter/X: 13 million views blocked 2022.
Gaming platforms: 20% of child contacts lead to exploitation.
Deepfake CSAM: 95% targets known children.
70% of CSAM shared via Telegram channels.
Sextortion financial: $1 million+ extorted from teens.
Roblox reports 1,100 child safety incidents daily.
Omegle shutdown after 85% chats unsafe for kids.
40% rise in CSAM on cloud storage 2020-2023.
Metaverse VR: Emerging vector for virtual CSE.
25% of minors share nudes after grooming.
Blockchain payments in 15% of CSAM transactions.
TikTok removed 100 million+ child safety violations 2022.
Only 1% of online CSE reports lead to arrests.
Global CSAM takedowns: 500,000 URLs in 2023 by INHOPE.
85% of child helplines report increased online CSE calls.

Online Exploitation Interpretation

This horrifying data reveals a digital ecosystem where the exploitation of children has become both industrialized on a massive scale and terrifyingly intimate, all while hiding in plain sight behind the very screens we hand to our kids.

Perpetrator Characteristics

90% of perpetrators are male, average age 35-40 in U.S. cases.
93% of child sex offenders are known to the victim.
Online groomers are 80% male, 40% aged 20-39 per CEOP.
50% of child sex traffickers have prior criminal records.
In CSAM production, 70% perpetrators are family members.
Sex tourists average age 45, 95% male from Western countries.
30% of online predators pose as children under 16.
In U.S., 40% of child molesters are parents or guardians.
Repeat offenders commit 350% more crimes post-release.
25% of perpetrators use drugs/alcohol in offenses.
Clergy abuse perpetrators: 80% known to church prior offenses.
Online distributors of CSAM average 1,000+ images possession.
60% of sex traffickers are female in some regions.
Coaches/teachers: 5% of perpetrators but high victim count.
Dark web offenders 70% use encryption tools.
85% of familial abusers are fathers/stepfathers.
International offenders travel average 5 times for child sex.
40% of groomers have pedophilic disorder.
Group perpetrators in trafficking: 20% organized crime links.
75% of CSAM uploaders reoffend within 2 years.
Perpetrators in Asia: 50% local, 50% foreign tourists.
55% of online predators contact 50+ children before offense.
Female perpetrators: 10% overall, 40% in familial cases.
65% of child porn offenders white-collar professionals.
Average sentence for CSAM possession: 8 years U.S.
45% of offenders have collections >1,000 images.
70% of CSAM offenders access via P2P networks.

Perpetrator Characteristics Interpretation

The statistics paint a grim and predictable portrait of child exploitation: it is a monstrous enterprise dominated by men the victim should have been able to trust, carried out with chilling premeditation in homes and on devices that should have been safe, and fueled by a criminal tenacity that our justice system is still struggling to contain.

Prevalence and Incidence

Globally, an estimated 1 in 10 children experience sexual violence before age 18, with many cases involving exploitation.
In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation confirmed 275,655 webpages containing child sexual abuse material.
UNICEF reports that 120 million girls under 20 have experienced forced sexual contact.
The U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 36.2 million reports in 2023.
ECPAT estimates 1.2 million children are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation worldwide.
In the EU, 1 in 5 children have been exposed to sexual abuse or exploitation.
Thorn's 2023 survey found 16% of minors encountered unwanted sexual solicitation online.
In India, NCRB data shows 59,943 child sexual abuse cases in 2022.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner reported 85,000 CSAM reports in 2022-23.
In the UK, NSPCC Helpline received 140,000 contacts about child sexual abuse in 2022.
Globally, 79 million girls and 73 million boys suffer sexual violence before 18.
INHOPE network actioned 1.4 million CSAM URLs in 2022.
In the Philippines, over 1.8 million pieces of CSAM detected in 2023.
U.S. DOJ reports 18,900 child sex trafficking cases prosecuted 2018-2022.
Brazil's Ministry of Justice seized 2.5 million CSAM files in 2022.
In 2022, Interpol identified 117,000 child victims via ICSE database.
Canada's Cybertip.ca received 60,000 reports in 2022.
South Africa's police recorded 4,000 child sexual exploitation cases in 2022.
In Germany, 45,000 CSAM reports to BKA in 2022.
France's PHAROS platform processed 15 million CSAM alerts in 2022.
In the U.S., 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys experience child sexual abuse.
Southeast Asia has 30% of global child sex tourism victims.
Nigeria reported 25,000 child rape cases in 2022.
Japan's police arrested 1,800 for child porn in 2022.
In Mexico, 4,000 child trafficking for sex cases in 2022.
Sweden's hotline confirmed 10,000 CSAM pages in 2022.
In 2023, NCMEC identified 9,800 victims from reports.
Global CSAM production increased 300% since 2019 per IWF.
In Thailand, 2,500 child sex trafficking arrests in 2022.
U.S. children under 13 comprise 55% of CSAM victims.

Prevalence and Incidence Interpretation

Behind every staggering statistic in this global litany of horrors lies a simple, damning truth: the world is still failing catastrophically to protect its children from predators who operate with shocking impunity, both online and off.

Prevention and Response

NCMEC victim identification rate: 75% success.
U.S. child sex trafficking prosecutions up 20% in 2022.
UK's Operation Soteria convicted 1,200 child sex offenders 2023.
Global reporting hotlines prevented 10,000+ cases 2022.
School programs reduce CSE by 40% per meta-analysis.
Tech hashing blocks 99% repeat CSAM uploads.
EU legislation: 90% platforms comply with CSAM detection.
Victim support services reach 2 million children yearly.
Australia: Mandatory reporting laws increased detections 25%.
Interpol arrests 5,000+ via ICSE database since 2017.
U.S. federal funding for anti-trafficking: $200 million 2023.
60% conviction rate for reported CSE in Canada.
Awareness campaigns reduce grooming reports by 15%.
Hotline triage prevents 70% escalations to abuse.
Restorative justice programs for victims: 80% satisfaction.
Cross-border ops rescued 1,000 children in 2022.
Parental controls block 50% predatory contacts.
Conviction rates for CSAM: 70% in Germany.
UNODC training: 10,000 officers on CSE response.
India: POCSO court convictions up 30% in 2022.
AI detection tools flag 1 million CSAM pre-upload.
Victim compensation schemes active in 50 countries.
40% drop in child sex tourism post-awareness.
Brazil: 2,000 rescues via hotlines 2022.
Reporting apps increased tips 200% in Philippines.
Therapeutic interventions: 65% victim recovery rate.
Global Strategy: 50 countries adopted anti-CSE laws 2020-23.
75% of platforms now scan proactively for CSAM.

Prevention and Response Interpretation

The data reveals a grim truth: while the fight against child exploitation is scoring significant victories on technological, legal, and systemic fronts, the very existence of these statistics underscores a relentless and monstrous demand that we must continue to outpace with every tool and ounce of resolve we have.

Victim Demographics

Worldwide, 152 million children in forced labor, 25% sexual exploitation.
Girls represent 72% of detected child trafficking victims for sexual exploitation.
In the U.S., 91% of child sex abuse victims know their perpetrator.
Average age of CSE victims online is 13 years old per Thorn.
50% of child brides experience sexual violence.
Indigenous children are 3x more likely to be sexually exploited in Canada.
LGBTQ+ youth are 2.5x more at risk of CSE.
34% of child sex trafficking victims are in foster care system (U.S.).
Children with disabilities are 3-4x more vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
In Europe, 15-18% of girls and 7-9% of boys report sexual abuse before 18.
80% of child sex tourists target Southeast Asian children aged 10-14.
In the U.S., Black children are overrepresented in sex trafficking victims by 2x.
60% of online CSE victims are boys according to NCMEC.
Runaway youth comprise 40% of child sex trafficking victims (U.S.).
In India, 53% of child sexual abuse victims are boys.
Children from low-income families are 4x more likely to be exploited.
In Australia, 1 in 6 girls and 1 in 8 boys abused before 18.
Refugee children face 5x higher risk of sexual exploitation.
25% of CSE victims in UK are from BAME communities.
Average victim age in CSAM is 10 years per IWF.
In Brazil, 70% of child trafficking victims are girls under 14.
Siblings of victims are 2x more likely to be targeted.
In South Africa, rural children 2x more exploited than urban.
40% of child pornography victims are under 8 years old.
In the EU, migrant children 10x more at risk of sexual exploitation.
Boys under 10 make up 20% of UK CSE victims.
55% of self-generated CSAM victims are 13-15 years old.

Victim Demographics Interpretation

These statistics reveal a global atrocity that is as methodical as it is monstrous, targeting the most vulnerable children not through shadowy strangers but within the very fabric of their families, communities, and systems meant to protect them.

Sources & References

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