Danish authorities are grappling with a surge in child abuse material online, prompting legislative action and increased international cooperation. The rise in such material, including computer-generated content, has been described as “horrific” by police officials.
The Danish government is introducing stricter laws to combat the production, distribution, and possession of child abuse material. The proposed legislation includes punishing the creation and possession of computer-generated sexual material, including deepfakes, and addressing the sharing of “everyday images” of minors in a sexualized context. It also allows police to create and share fake sexual material involving minors for investigative purposes. The bill is expected to pass on Tuesday.
Reports of violations related to child abuse material have skyrocketed in recent years. Cases reported to the police have increased from 158 in 2015 to 2,265 in 2024, and convictions have risen from 58 to 476 in the same period. Notifications from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to Danish authorities have also nearly quadrupled since 2020.
The accessibility of child abuse material online is a significant concern. According to Save the Children, this type of material is readily available, even to individuals not initially seeking it out. Experts highlight the role of internet algorithms in potentially leading users to such content.
Police are seeing a rise in very young perpetrators, some as young as 15 or 16, involved in the creation and distribution of abusive content. This trend underscores the need for preventative measures, such as Save the Children’s “TalMedOs” advice line for young people with concerning thoughts about child abuse.
Authorities are also calling for greater accountability from tech companies and internet providers to remove and report child abuse material. The Minister of Justice emphasizes the need for a “showdown with the giants,” urging them to take a more proactive role in combating the spread of this content.