The Stream

Unplugging online child sex tourism

Webcam child sex tourism is rising among the ranks of virtual crimes but can law enforcement keep up?

750,000. That’s how many paedophiles are online at any moment, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The anonymity of private chat rooms enables those who engage in webcam child sex tourism to avoid detection. Data shows that most log in from Western countries, with ‘customers’ paying to see underage children perform coerced sexual acts. Given its virtual and real-time design, how do we begin to tackle this growing abuse?

In this episode of The Stream, we speak with: 

Hans Guyt @terredeshommes
Project Director, Terre Des Hommes
terredeshommes.org

Agnes Villegas @TheVisayanForum
Psychologist, Visayan Forum
visayanforum.org

Michael Moran @INTERPOL_HTCE
Coordinator for Crimes against Children, INTERPOL
interpol.int

Geronimo L Sy @DOJPH
Assistant Secretary, Department of Justice in the Philippines
doj.gov.ph

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.