With OSCE Support, Ukrainian Law Enforcers Strengthen Investigative Skills and Launch Investigation into New Cases of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Ukrainian law enforcement officers have strengthened their capacity to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse during a five-day Training Hackathon organized by the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine from 26 to 30 October in Lviv.

Combining specialized training with hands-on investigative work, the event brought together 25 law enforcement professionals (6 women and 19 men) from the Migration Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine, investigative units, and prosecution offices from across the country. Participants enhanced their skills while contributing directly to ongoing efforts to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

Through expert-led sessions delivered by representatives of INTERPOL, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Swedish Police, participants explored international approaches to investigating online child sexual exploitation and abuse. They also received practical training in advanced digital forensic and analytical tools used to support online investigations and identify victims.

The practical component of the hackathon put this learning into action. Working in five multidisciplinary teams, participants analysed more than 50 reports submitted through CyberTipline, the reporting platform operated by the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Using specialized investigative and analytical tools, they identified hundreds of potential investigative leads and helped locate 10 children who may require further protection measures and follow-up by the competent authorities.

Following the exercise, Ukrainian law enforcement authorities registered 22 criminal reports for further investigation. Relevant information was also contributed to INTERPOL's International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database, strengthening international co-operation and supporting efforts to identify offenders and protect children across borders.

The initiative highlights the growing importance of international partnership in addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse, a crime that frequently transcends national jurisdictions and requires co-ordinated responses from law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and technology partners.

The continued sharing and circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online remains a significant global challenge. Behind every image or video is a child whose rights have been violated and whose safety, dignity, and well-being must be protected. The circulation of such material can prolong the harm suffered by victims and contribute to their continued victimization long after the original abuse has occurred.
 
The scale of the challenge continues to grow worldwide. According to NCMEC, CyberTipline reports received in 2025 contained more than 61.8 million files related to suspected child sexual exploitation, while reports involving child trafficking for sexual exploitation increased by 323 per cent compared with 2024. For Ukrainian children, the ongoing consequences of war may create additional vulnerabilities. Displacement, family separation, disruption of education, and reduced access to support services can increase risks of exploitation, including online.

The Training Hackathon was organized under the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine project "Strengthening Ukraine's CTHBCTHB
Combating trafficking in human beings Response through Institutional Reform and Strategic Capacity Building" in partnership with the National Police of Ukraine and the Lviv State University of Internal Affairs. Expert support was provided by INTERPOL Headquarters, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Magnet Forensics, the Swedish Police, Penlink, ST&T, and YouControl.