International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children

International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children Creating a safer world for every child - free from abuse, exploitation, or risk of going missing - no matter what it takes.
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The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) advocates, innovates, trains, and collaborates to protect the world's children from abduction, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Through high quality research, advocacy, education, and technical assistance, the International Centre addresses the need for cutting-edge solutions to these problems. Since its inception, ICMEC has traine

d over 10,500 law enforcement officers, prosecutors and specialists around the world on how to handle child protection cases; helped 150 countries amend existing or create new laws against child sexual abuse material; and assisted in the development of 7 national centres to address these issues on the domestic level.

06/05/2026

ℹ️ Many countries' legal definitions of CSAM were drafted long before generative AI existed, leaving AI-generated and AI-manipulated content in a legal grey zone. The result is a fragmented landscape that perpetrators actively exploit.

Closing this loophole demands harmonising the definition of CSAM to explicitly include legal definitions of CSAM to explicitly include "realistic images, reproductions or representations" — whether AI-generated or AI-manipulated. Policymakers must build a future-proof legal architecture that ensures accountability follows the harm, not the border.

06/04/2026

🇨🇷 How is Costa Rica responding to the challenge of online child sexual abuse and exploitation?

Through the Multisectoral Responses and Capacities Assessment (MRC), ICMEC examined the country's legal framework, policies, services, and response mechanisms to better understand its strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Costa Rica has demonstrated strong commitment through initiatives such as the National Strategy for the Prevention of and Response to the Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children and Adolescents (EASNNAL 2021–2027). At the same time, continued efforts are needed to strengthen investigations, expand support services for victims and survivors, improve prevention and reporting mechanisms, and enhance collaboration with the private sector.

Protecting children online requires coordinated action from governments, law enforcement, service providers, industry, civil society, and communities.

📖 Read the full Costa Rica MRC Assessment: www.icmec.org/assessments/

06/02/2026

Behind every effort to protect children are dedicated professionals who share their knowledge, experience, and expertise to help others respond more effectively to today's challenges.

The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) Agent of Change e-learning course brings together experts from diverse fields to provide accessible, on-demand learning for professionals, practitioners, advocates, and anyone committed to child protection worldwide.

With 6 free modules available in multiple languages, the course features expert-led sessions, practical insights, and global perspectives that support learning, collaboration, and stronger responses for children everywhere.

🎓 Learn from experts.
🤝 Gain global perspectives.
🌍 Help strengthen child protection worldwide.

Become an Agent of Change.

Access the course: https://icmec.tovuti.io/

Download on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tovuti.icmec

Artificial intelligence is changing the way online grooming happens. Fake identities, AI-generated voices, and manipulat...
05/27/2026

Artificial intelligence is changing the way online grooming happens. Fake identities, AI-generated voices, and manipulated profiles can make harmful interactions harder to recognize — especially for children.

In this week’s AI Alert, we highlight some warning signs parents and caregivers should watch for, and why open conversations about online safety matter more than ever.

Protecting children online starts with awareness, trust, and communication.

Learn more about online safety and child protection:
🔷 ICMEC: https://www.icmec.org/
🔷 NSPCC Grooming Awareness: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/grooming/

This is part of our weekly AI Alert series exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the context of children’s rights.

05/25/2026

In football, one quick pass can change the game, and when a child goes missing, every second matters. Acting quickly can make all the difference. International Missing Children’s Day reminds us to stand with families, raise awareness, and protect children everywhere. Together, by speaking up and reporting fast, we can help bring more children home safely.

Act fast, Report

05/22/2026

What does it take to turn an urgent message into a campaign people will actually stop and watch?

In this behind-the-scenes look, we share the creative process behind the International Missing Children’s Day campaign “Act Fast, Report”, from the first idea inspired by sports and football culture, to the animation, sound design, and storytelling choices that helped bring the message to life.

Every creative decision had one goal:
to remind people that when a child goes missing, every second matters.

Watch how the concept evolved from a simple idea into a campaign designed to capture attention, create urgency, and encourage action.

05/21/2026

Children deserve to be safe. Online and in real life.

ℹ️ SALVUS is a European project helping countries work together to protect children and bring offenders to justice. At ICMEC, we lead the training and communications work, creating tools and guidance for investigators, prosecutors, and specialists doing this essential work every day.

From handling digital evidence, to child-friendly approaches, to supporting investigator well-being, we help knowledge reach the right people.

Together, we’re making justice safer for children.

➡️ Learn more at salvusproject.eu

This week’s AI Alert joins the message of:International Missing Children's DayAs technology evolves, missing children ca...
05/20/2026

This week’s AI Alert joins the message of:

International Missing Children's Day

As technology evolves, missing children cases are increasingly connected to the digital world. Artificial intelligence can help investigators analyze information faster, identify links across cases, and support efforts to locate children at risk.

This is also a reminder that AI can be used for good: supporting child protection efforts, helping investigators process information more efficiently, and strengthening international cooperation in time-sensitive cases.

But technology alone is never enough. Human expertise, ethical safeguards, international cooperation, and rapid public reporting remain essential to protecting children online and offline.

This International Missing Children’s Day, we reaffirm a simple message: awareness and quick action can make a critical difference.

Learn more about International Missing Children’s Day: https://www.icmec.org/may25/

05/19/2026

Behind every effort to protect children are professionals sharing knowledge, experience, and practical expertise to help others respond more effectively to today’s challenges.

The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children Agents of Change e-learning course brings together specialists from diverse fields to provide accessible, on-demand learning designed for professionals, practitioners, and advocates around the world.

With 6 free modules available in multiple languages, the course offers expert-led sessions and global perspectives that support learning, collaboration, and stronger responses for children worldwide.

🎓 Learn from experts.
🤝 Connect with global perspectives.
🌍 Be part of the change for children worldwide.

Become an Agent of Change.

Access the course:
https://icmec.tovuti.io/

Download on the Google Store:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details...
Download on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/.../icmec-online.../id6447648635

ACT FAST. REPORT.In football, timing can change the outcome of a match.When a child goes missing, it can change everythi...
05/19/2026

ACT FAST. REPORT.

In football, timing can change the outcome of a match.

When a child goes missing, it can change everything.

For International Missing Children’s Day 2026, our campaign uses the world of football to highlight one urgent message: every second matters when a child disappears.

Learn more about the campaign here: https://www.icmec.org/may25/

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