The Esc_ABUSE line reported over 43,000 online abuse reports in 2024, a significant increase compared to the previous year, highlighting a critical situation in child protection.

In 2024, the Esc_ABUZ reporting line of the Save the Children Organization received a record number of over 43,000 reports of online materials that incite child abuse and sexual exploitation, an alarming increase from 19,369 in 2023. These reports contain over 85,000 images and videos, and authorities have closed 78,790 links. In the same year, the National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights recorded 20,216 cases of abuse, of which 1,931 were of a sexual nature, with only 847 criminal prosecutions initiated. Save the Children draws attention to the fact that these figures reflect only a part of reality, as many cases remain unreported due to stigma.

Globally, 1 in 5 children experience sexual violence, and 62% of illegal materials are stored on European servers. In Romania, socio-economic vulnerabilities and the increased use of the internet have contributed to a heightened exposure of children to risks. Almost 29% of children have received sexual messages, and 4% have suffered forms of abuse. Save the Children emphasizes the need to treat child protection as a legal obligation, not just a moral one, and proposes legislative and educational measures to combat this phenomenon. The organization continues to implement support and intervention programs for victims of abuse.