Creative Commons

Abstract This thesis explores the topic of the online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) given the dramatic changes brought by information and communication technologies. It primarily examinesthe type of the offences criminalized under the international and European legal framework as well as the legislative and practical preventive responses for combating such egregious phenomenon. In particular, it critically analyses the agreed definitions concerning the OCSEA based on the ‘Luxembourg Guidelines’, portraying a better understanding of the relevant offences. Preventive legislative responses are thoroughly explained in combination with a comparative analysis of the UNCRC, the OPSC, the Lanzarote Convention and the Directive 2011/93/EU, mainly indicating how the said instruments complement and strengthen each other. International and European practical responses are equally analyzed, including the work of Interpol and both CoE and EU strategies serving as pivotal catalysts for the establishment of concerted efforts towards a holistic protection of the child-victim. Further, the present study underscores the need of putting an end to the perception of impunity by highlighting the importance of the retrieval of the illicit material depicting children and the identification of both the victims and the sexual predators. Similarly, it stresses that states should prioritize the implementation of the respective legal framework, providing specialized and long-term support for child-victims, by strengthening awareness policies and facilitating access to justice for children. Lastly, it points out the need of strategic private sector commitment, multi-sectoral collaboration as well as sustained education focusing on the digital rights of the child aimed at ensuring children’s dignity and safety in the cyberspace.