HEROES – Novel Strategies to Fight Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking Crimes and Protect their Victims

Background

Trafficking of human beings (THB) and child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSA/CSE) are serious problems in our society. Inadvertently, new information and communication technologies (ICTs) have provided a space for these problems to develop and take new forms, made worse by the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, technical and legal tools available to stakeholders that prevent, investigate, and assist victims – such as law enforcement agencies (LEAs), prosecutors, judges, and civil society organisations (CSOs) – fail to keep up with the pace at which criminals use new technologies to continue their abhorrent acts. Furthermore, assistance to victims of THB and CSA/CSE is often limited by the lack of coordination among these stakeholders. In this sense, there is a clear and vital need for joint work methodologies and the development of new strategies for approaching and assisting victims. In addition, due to the cross-border nature of these crimes, improved understanding of the legal frameworks of each of the affected countries is necessary for creating bridges of communication and coordination among all those stakeholders to help victims and reduce the occurrence of these crimes.

To address these challenges, the HEROES project comes up with an ambitious, interdisciplinary, international, and victim-centred approach. The project is structured as a comprehensive solution that encompasses three main components: Prevention, Investigation and Victim Assistance. Through these components, the project aims to establish a coordinated contribution by developing an appropriate, victim-centred approach that is capable of addressing specific needs and providing protection. The HEROES project’s main objective is to use technology to improve the way in which help and support can be provided to victims of THB and CSA/CSE. Moreover, new innovative strategies will be developed which in the short, medium and long term will improve the way in which LEAs and CSOs carry out criminal investigations, assist rescued victims, and prevent the occurrence of these crimes.

Research objectives

The ICMPD Research Unit will contribute to the social and legal context understanding of trafficking in human beings and child sexual abuse/exploitation crimes in the countries under research. ICMPD coordinates and conducts its own empirical research in the countries under study on:

• Harmonisation of legal frameworks of trafficking and child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes prosecution and victim referral;
• Legal and ethical issues related to the use of undercover agents to fight trafficking and child sexual abuse and exploitation;
• Law enforcement national strategies for response to missing children reports;
• Social, psychological and economic factors for early identification of potential victims of trafficking and child sexual abuse and exploitation;
• Barriers, remedies and harmful and good practices regarding the treatment of victims of trafficking and child sexual abuse and exploitation during criminal proceedings; and
• Implementation barriers of THB and CSA/E prevention programmes.

For more information, please visit the HEROES website.