NZ agencies urge young people to be safe online as reports of online child exploitation continue to rise

Chief Customs Officer – Child Exploitation Operations Team, Simon Peterson says behind every one of these reports is an online user, here in New Zealand, who may pose a real threat to our communities and our tamariki, in particular.

“These are also not nuisance crimes - the majority of objectionable material that New Zealand agencies deal with show real children being harmed through often-horrific sexual abuse. Ever-increasing reporting of online offending is a clear marker for increasing global demand, and victimisation, of our society's most vulnerable.”

The joint Police-Customs-DIA online sexploitation media statement is on the Police News website now:

• NZ agencies urge young people to be safe online as reports of online child exploitation continue to rise