Anti-Slavery Charity Welcomes Social Media Inquiry

Friday 10 May 2024

International Justice Mission (IJM) Australia has welcomed the Government’s announcement today of a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee into the impact and influence of social media.

The scope of the inquiry is to include harmful or illegal content disseminated over social media, including scams, and child sexual abuse material.

IJM Australia Country Director David Braga welcomed this attention noting the rapid growth of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) and trafficking into cyber-scamming in the Asia Pacific region.

“Australia is a key target for scammers and one of the leading consumers of child sexual abuse material –therefore it is critical that we do everything we can to contribute to the solution to protect Australians from scams and children from online sexual abuse by Australian perpetrators.

“IJM is pleased to see the Australian Government’s intent to include both scams and child sexual abuse material in the scope of the new Joint Select Committee into Social Media. There is a large opportunity for social media companies to lift their game to prevent the proliferation of this material on their platforms.

“Just yesterday, a 53 year-old Queensland man was sentenced by the Brisbane District Court to four years and six months’ imprisonment for charges relating to child sexual abuse material, including where he had initiated a group chat on a social media platform and was sharing child abuse material with two other men. One of the social media chat group participants was a 53 year-old Brisbane man who was sentenced to four years imprisonment in 2022.

“Online sexual exploitation of children is occurring now on social media platforms, and it’s imperative these companies do all they can to prevent this crime from taking place on their platforms to safeguard children who are exposed to their products.

“We commend the Government for their continued focus on this matter and IJM Australia looks forward to contributing to the important work of this new committee.”

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Briony Camp
[email protected]
+61 468 308 696