Timeframe: January 2025 to December 2030
Budget: Up to EUR 30 million
Donor: Human Dignity Foundation (HDF)
The situation
In today’s constantly shifting digital world, the internet plays a central role in children's daily lives—enabling connection, learning, and play. But while it opens doors to new possibilities, it also exposes children to serious risks.
Technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation represents one of the most serious and rapidly growing threats to children today. The scale of this crime is increasing at an alarming rate, with millions of reports received each year by global partners such as the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the Internet Watch Foundation. This situation highlights the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to protect children and bring offenders to justice.
Project aims
Preventing the Cycle of Harm is designed to strengthen the long-term response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation by focusing on early detection, prevention and the protection of children worldwide.
Through this project INTERPOL’s Crimes Against Children (CAC) Unit aims to reinforce international efforts by building law enforcement capacity, enhancing the use of advanced analytical tools, and supporting operations. The programme also supports member countries by expanding access to crucial databases, providing specialized training and fostering cross-border collaboration. A key priority of the project is the integration of safeguarding principles into investigative practices, to prevent any secondary traumatization of children.
Project activities
Preventing the Cycle of Harm places a strong focus on strengthening national capacities, equipping law enforcement agencies with the skills, tools, and structural support needed to lead effective investigations and uphold international standards. This includes:
- Support for the development of specialized units within national jurisdictions
- Long-term mentoring initiatives that ensure continuous development and operational excellence
- Cross-sector collaboration to establish sustainable investigative models
- Comprehensive training and capacity building programmes
- Deployment of regional support teams
These efforts contribute to broader strategic goals, ensuring that national units are not only well-resourced but also well-integrated into INTERPOL’s global network.
Project updates
The CAC Unit hosted the 41st Operational Meeting of INTERPOL's Specialists Group on Crimes against Children from 14 to 17 April 2025, convening experts from around the world to share knowledge, best practices, and strategies to combat crimes against children. With a total of 212 attendees from various countries and organizations, the meeting brought together a diverse and experienced group of professionals, fostering a collaborative and informative environment.