Abuse of boys on web worse

– Boys are more likely than girls to suffer the worst forms of online sexual exploitation, according to a report by Interpol and an advocacy organisation that highlights the largely unreported trend.

Antitrafficking groups say the global spread of cheap, high-speed internet is fuelling the growth of cybersex trafficking that includes children being abused over livestreams and sold for sex. Although girls account for two-thirds of the victims, the latest study said online images or videos depicting boys, including very young children, often involve more severe abuse, such as sadism.

The findings were based on an analysis of a database of over one million abuse images and videos from around the globe. “It shows how much more research needs to be done,” said Damian Kean of ECPAT International, a Bangkok-based group fighting child sexual exploitation, which jointly conducted the study.

The Interpol database has identified over 12 000 victims since 2009. More than 60% were very young children, including infants and toddlers, and one third were boys, according to the study released on Tuesday.

Interpol and ECPAT said victim identification was key to tracking down offenders because abuse material is often made by those close to the victims. – Reuters

Kuala Lumpur