27/01/2005

Global Taskforce aims to reduce on-line child abuse

A web-based initiative at www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com aims to deter and prevent individuals from committing child abuse on-line.

Pioneered by the UK’s National Crime Squad in association with UK industry leaders and law enforcement counterparts in Australia, Canada, the US, and Interpol, the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) partnership aims to make the Internet a safer place for children and a more hostile place for paedophiles.

Recent research conducted by ICM revealed that nine out of ten British adults agreed that there should be a "great deal" or "fair amount" of co-operation between the UK police and international law enforcement agencies to help improve child safety on-line.

The VGT website will provide a platform suited to delivering improved international co-operation. The website will act as a gateway to information on how to use the Internet safely, and will link to a range of support agencies that can advise and support victims of abuse.

With the aim of the website becoming a single point for information about child protection on-line, Internet users can report on-line child abuse in a secure and confidential environment.

Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said: "The Virtual Global Taskforce is an excellent initiative which brings together law enforcement agencies and industry from around the world.

"It is only through building partnerships like these that we can be effective in protecting children and making the Internet safe for children."

Jim Gamble, Deputy Director General of the UK's National Crime Squad, and Chair of the VGT, described the initiative as a "unique partnership" in the history of law enforcement.

He said: "Child abuse is one of the worst crimes to affect today's society and we in the UK must break away from thinking that we can tackle this issue within our own borders. Internet-users access a worldwide service and we must tackle abuse from a worldwide perspective."

A critical factor in the VGT is a partnership with industry to help make the Internet "safer by design".

Partners in the UK, including Microsoft/MSN, AOL(UK), Vodafone and BT, will work with the VGT to develop this collaboration within a the framework of an international approach to best practice in on-line child protection.

(SP)

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