Number of child pornography reports fell by 65% last year to 145,000

The number of reports about child pornography has fallen sharply in the past year. In 2022, 145,000 reports were filed with the Meldpunt Kinderporno, compared to roughly 414,000 a year earlier. According to Offlimits, the new name of the EOKM expertise center about online child abuse, the increased pressure on hosting services is the main reason for the declining figures observed by the child pornography hotline.

Unlike before, hosting companies are more willing to remove sexual images of minors from the internet. They will be subjected to potential fines from the child pornography authority that is still being set up, which may play a role in the changing attitude.

Offlimits also pointed to the success of its Child Safe Internet program, an initiative from former Minister of Justice and Security Ferd Grapperhaus. The program is a collaboration between internet companies, Offlimits and the Ministry of Justice and Security.

Offlimits board chair Arda Gerkens said she was happy with the decrease, but noted that the fight is ongoing. "We are not under the illusion that images of sexual abuse of minors are viewed less. We see that many hosting parties, especially image hosters, are leaving the Netherlands and setting up elsewhere. International contacts show that more reports are coming in from countries that are not members of the European Union."

According to Gerkens, these are often countries that are not affiliated with InHope, an umbrella organization of reporting centers and hotlines. "We are looking at where we could help these countries with the increase, and how they can join InHope," said the board chair.