Novel Strategies to Fight Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Crimes and Protect their Victims

Project Information

HEROES

Grant agreement ID: 101021801

DOI

10.3030/101021801

Project closed

EC signature date 4 November 2021

Start date 1 December 2021

End date 30 November 2024

Funded under

• Secure societies - Protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens

Total cost

€ 5 427 000,00

EU contribution

€ 4 999 500,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - HEROES (Novel Strategies to Fight Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Crimes and Protect their Victims)

Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Trafficking of human beings (THB) and child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSA/CSE) are two big problems in our society. Inadvertently, new information and communication technologies (ICTs) have provided a space for these problems to develop and take new forms, made worse by the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, technical and legal tools available to stakeholders that prevent, investigate, and assist victims – such as law enforcement agencies (LEAs), prosecutors, judges, and civil society organisations (CSOs) – fail to keep up with the pace at which criminals use new technologies to continue their abhorrent acts. Furthermore, assistance to victims of THB and CSA/CSE is often limited by the lack of coordination among these stakeholders. In this sense, there is a clear and vital need for joint work methodologies and the development of new strategies for approaching and assisting victims. In addition, due to the cross border nature of these crimes, harmonisation of legal frameworks from each of the affected countries is necessary for creating bridges of communication and coordination among all those stakeholders to help victims and reduce the occurrence of these horrendous crimes. To address these challenges, the HEROES project comes up with an ambitious, interdisciplinary, international, and victim-centred approach. The HEROES project is structured as a comprehensive solution that encompasses three main components: Prevention, Investigation and Victim Assistance. Through these components, HEROES solution aims to establish a coordinated
contribution with LEAs by developing an appropriate, victim-centred approach that is capable of addressing specific needs and providing protection.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

HEROES has successfully developed a series of innovative solutions designed to combat online threats against children and improve responses to THB and CSA/CSE. These solutions encompass both technological tools and social initiatives, aligning with the project's three fundamental pillars: Prevention, Investigation, and Victim Assistance.
Prevention:
•Anti-grooming Mobile App (AGapp): Allows the detection, and alerting of grooming attempts through messaging applications or multimedia materials.
•Citizen Reporting App (CR): Allows citizens to report incidents of CSA/E and THB to local police, who evaluate and classify the report for further action.
•Identifying Fake Job Offers (INDOOR): A tool to detect and analyze fake job offers to combat human trafficking. It supports NGOs and LEAs in identifying online recruitment of trafficking victims.
•Training Curricula: to prevent and respond to CSA/CSE and THB. Offered through ICMEC's Online Learning Platform, accessible free of charge in multiple languages.
•Online THB and CSA/CSE Prevention Programs: Comprehensive guides to educate key stakeholders on online crimes against children, with engaging, culturally appropriate, and accessible content in diverse formats and languages.
•Training Plan for Health Care Workers: To enhance collaboration in investigations and responses to THB/CSA/CSE, promoting better outcomes for victims and successful prosecutions.

Investigation:
•Automatic CSAM/CSEM Identification and Classification Tool (ACPIC): Tool to automatically detect and classify CSA/CSE material in multimedia files to help LEAs save time in their investigations.
•Real-time IMA Content Acquisition (RIMA): Addresses the growing problem of data capture in IMA, with a special focus on protecting minors.
•File Context Analysis from Seized Devices (FCA): enable automatic analysis of files contained on a seized device and allow agents to conduct intelligent searches.
•Open Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT): Tool to streamline criminal investigations by automating data collection and analysis, facilitating the identification of correlations and additional evidence.
•P2P CSAM/CSEM Identification Tool (P2PT): The tool will allow LEAs to search for, detect and identify any CSAM/CSEM that have been distributed via P2P networks with the novelty of detecting new images derived from existing/known CSAM/CSEM that have gone through modification, which would not have been detected using traditional.
•Profile/Content Generator (PCG): Creation and management of profiles, enabling investigators to improve the efficiency of their processes and achieve accurate identifications in cases related to CSA/CSE.

Victim Assistance:
•Best practices guidelines for trauma bonding identification protocol: Focus on breaking the traumatic bond between victims and their abusers. This action-oriented approach provides educational and emotional tools to empower victims. This strategy aids in facilitating a safe transition from abusive situations, helping victims regain emotional autonomy and rebuild their lives in a healthier environment.
•Guidelines of awareness and victim’s assistance resources addressing to governments and stakeholders to follow on investigation and prosecution: HEROES has developed a customisable protocol that enables countries or organisations to establish or enhance their own MDTs, ensuring that the framework meets specific contextual needs.
•E-learning-based training programs for passenger transport personnel addressing to identification and assistance possible THB and CSA/CSE victims.

The consortium disseminated the project results, the developments, and the outcomes known to and exploited by the relevant parties and interested members of the public through different means. In particular, the promotion of the project processes and outcomes.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

HEROES has made significant advancements beyond current methodologies and technologies in combating CSA/CSE and THB. Key innovations include:
- Development of Advanced Tools: HEROES has introduced sophisticated technologies such as AI-driven applications for prevention and crime investigations of CSA/CSE and THB. These innovations enhance the ability to prevent and investigate these crimes effectively.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: HEROES integrates insights from technology, social sciences, and LEAs, creating a holistic framework that addresses the complexities of child protection and victim assistance.
- Enhanced Coordination: Through fostering collaboration among LEAs, NGOs, and academic partners, HEROES has streamlined processes for identifying and assisting victims, improving overall response efficacy.

HEROES has the potential to create substantial socio-economic and societal impacts, including:
- Improved Victim Support: By enhancing the frameworks for victim assistance and trauma recovery, the project aims to reduce secondary victimization and promote healing for survivors of THB and CSA/CSE.
- Increased Public Awareness: Educational initiatives will raise awareness about the risks of child exploitation, empowering communities to take preventive actions and support victims more effectively.
- Strengthening LEAs Capabilities: The introduction of advanced investigative tools will bolster the capacity of LEAs to combat and prosecute offenders, leading to more effective legal outcomes.
- Societal Change: By addressing the root causes of exploitation and fostering a culture of vigilance and support, the project aims to shift societal attitudes towards child protection, encouraging active participation in prevention efforts.

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