An Garda Síochána – Targeted Operations against Online Child Sexual Exploitation Material as part of 16 Days of Activism
- 10 Searches carried out in Garda Divisions in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Louth and Wicklow
- To date, during 2022, the Online Child Exploitation Unit has sent in excess of 700 referrals to local Divisional Protective Services Units for investigation
- An Garda Síochána utilising enhanced access to the ICSE Database
Between the 28th November and the 1st December 2022 Gardaí 10 Searches were conducted addresses across the country by local Divisional Protection Service Units (DPSUs) and Detective units.
The searches coordinated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit (OnCE) attached the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) were carried out under Operation KETCH This was an evidence gathering phase of the operation. The intelligence led searches, with warrants under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, will help identify suspects who are using Peer to Peer file sharing and secondly suspects using various Social Media platforms to share, distribute and possess Child Sexual Exploitation material.
Various items of digital material was seized for forensic examination.
Gardaí continue to liaise with TUSLA in relation to child protection concerns that arise.
To date, during 2022, the OnCE Unit has referred in excess of 700 Investigation files to local DPSUs for investigation
In September 2022, INTERPOL provided training to members of the GNPSB and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) on the ICSE database. Access to the ICSE database, has significantly enhanced the ongoing work by GNPSB’s OnCE Unit. An Garda Síochána have contributed to the ICSE database and An Garda Síochánas overall response to the process of Child Sexual Exploitation victim identification.
Speaking today Detective Superintendent Lackey, Garda National Protective Service Bureau highlighted: "Person accessing, viewing and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material need to recognise that this is not a victimless crime, in fact the young victims of this criminal activity are amongst the most vulnerable victims in our society in Ireland and Internationally. An Garda Síochána is working and will continue to work closely with all our international partners to target, disrupt and bring to justice anyone involved in the accessing, distribution and production of the this criminal sexual abuse material.”
Background Information:
Operation Ketch was established in January 2018 as an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected possessors and distributors of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Material Contrary to the Child Trafficking and Pornography act 1998 as amended. The operation was initiated by the Online Child Exploitation Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. The objectives of Operation KETCH are
- To identify Child Protection concerns and engage with TUSLA
- To identify, target and search persons suspected of distributing online Child Exploitation material
- To highlight and discourage persons who are distributing who are distributing Child sexual Exploitation Material through awareness raising
The International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) image and video database is an intelligence and investigative tool managed by INTERPOL and used by specialized investigators to share data on cases of child sexual abuse, around the world. INTERPOL’s Child Sexual Exploitation database holds more than 4.3 million images and videos and has helped identify more than 30,000 victims and in excess of 13,000 offenders, worldwide. Sixty eight (68) countries are connected to the ICSE database and through its usage, on average, seven (7) victims are identified every day.
An Garda Síochána encourages the public to report suspected illegal content encountered on the Internet to www.hotline.ie so that Industry and Law Enforcement may know about it and act swiftly against it. Reporting to the Hotline is not a substitute for notifying An Garda Síochána.
ADVICE for PARENTS:
Advice for parents on identifying ‘Grooming’ is attached to this press release.
Further advice on Online Safety is published on the Garda website Online child exploitation –
PLANS – Personal Safety Advice
An Garda Síochána is providing Personal Safety Advice to all persons who are planning on socialising this Christmas season. As the country returns to a normal Christmas Season more people will be out enjoying the festivities but this also means that there are more opportunities for criminals and the risk of personal thefts and attacks also increases. Garda advise person to be ‘Streetwise’ and have PLANS.
PLAN your night out, How are you travelling, Have you a designated driver, Use Public Transport; busses, trains and Taxis remain the safest modes of travel, if getting a Taxi use the Taxi Check Check a Taxi License | Transport for Ireland for Ireland to verify details, double check before getting into the car to make sure it is actually a Taxi, take a picture of the registration/ Taxi number
LET someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back, if your plan changes let someone know, send a message
AVOID walking alone and in dark places, always try to stay in a friends company, its safer together
NEVER attempt to reason with drunk or aggressive people, walk away and continue to enjoy your night out
STREETWISE avoid getting over intoxicated, be wary of your surroundings, mind your valuables, protect your mobile devices, never hand your device to a strange person, protect your PIN if using your device or cash terminals/ devices
Further advice on Personal Safety is published on the Garda website -streetwise-.pdf (garda.ie)
PARENTAL ADVICE ON ‘GROOMING’
‘Grooming’ is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.
Anybody can be a groomer, no matter their age, gender or race. Grooming can take place over a short or long period of time – from weeks to years. Groomers may also build a relationship with the young person's family or friends to make them seem trustworthy or authoritative.
Children and young people can be groomed online, in person or both – by a stranger or someone they know. This could be a family member, a friend or someone who has targeted them – like a teacher, faith group leader or sports coach. When a child is groomed online, groomers may hide who they are by sending photos or videos of other people.
Sometimes this'll be of someone younger than them to gain the trust of a "peer". They might target one child online or contact lots of children very quickly and wait for them to respond.
The relationship a groomer builds can take different forms. This could be:
- a romantic relationship
- as a mentor
- an authority figure
- a dominant and persistent figure.
A groomer can use the same sites, games and apps as young people, spending time learning about a young person's interests and use this to build a relationship with them. Children can be groomed online through:
- social media networks
- text messages and messaging apps, like Whatsapp
- email
- text, voice and video chats in forums, games and apps.
Whether online or in person, groomers can use tactics like:
o pretending to be younger o giving advice or showing understanding o buying gifts o giving attention o taking them on trips, outings or holidays.
Groomers might also try and isolate children from their friends and family, making them feel dependent on them and giving the groomer power and control over them. They might use blackmail to make a child feel guilt and shame or introduce the idea of 'secrets' to control, frighten and intimidate.
It's important to remember that children and young people may not understand they've been groomed. They may have complicated feelings, like loyalty, admiration, love, as well as fear, distress and confusion.
It can be difficult to tell if a child is being groomed – the signs aren't always obvious and may be hidden. Older children might behave in a way that seems to be "normal" teenage behaviour, masking underlying problems.
Some of the signs you might see include:
- being very secretive about how they're spending their time, including when online
- having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
- having money or new things like clothes and mobile phones that they can't or won't explain
- underage drinking or drug taking
- spending more or less time online or on their devices
- being upset, withdrawn or distressed
- sexualised behaviour, language or an understanding of sex that's not appropriate for their age
- spending more time away from home or going missing for periods of time.
A child is unlikely to know they've been groomed. They might be worried or confused and less likely to speak to an adult they trust.
The website Webwise.ie offers valuable information and advice addressing a wide range of internet safety concerns for parents and young people.
