Legislation for internet child sex abuse is discussed by stakeholders

Participants have gathered in Accra to provide input on a legislative instrument that aims to include targeted interventions on child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) online in the Cybersecurity Act 2020 (Act 1038).

Incorporating online CSEA into National Child Protection systems and the broader cybersecurity agenda is the goal of this move. abuse

Among other organizations and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the stakeholders included representatives from the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana Police Service, UNICEF, Attorney-General’s Office, WILDAF, and Child Rights International.

Details

The L.I. has become necessary, among other things, to give District and Circuit Courts the authority to hear cases under the Act and to address the excessive delays and challenges that prosecutors have when trying cases of online child abuse.

The L.I aims to increase the degree of protection provided to people under the Cybersecurity Act, especially kids.

In order to safeguard children and other people from the possible dangers and damages associated with using Internet-enabled devices, the Regulations now include owners of vital information infrastructure such as search engines and social media platforms. abuse

A proposal for systems that use age verification technology to identify a child user, or the age category a child user comes under, is one of the draft (L.I) to the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038)’s key highlights.

It also suggests using technological solutions, such as artificial intelligence, to find, block, and stop children from accessing dangerous or illegal content, as well as to find and stop online grooming.

Partnership

Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, noted that the purpose of the consultation meeting was to encourage collaboration between CSOs and to solicit their collective feedback and concerns regarding the development of the L.I. abuse

“I am optimistic that our objective to facilitate networking and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including CSOs, UNICEF, the media, and representatives from other countries, in order to encourage country-based experiences and best practices with lessons learned, would be achieved,” the official said.

UNICEF

Despite the various improvements made by the nation, reporting and prosecution of instances as well as victim support needs to be improved, according to Lucia Soleti, chief of child protection at UNICEF.

She noted that in order to better understand and mitigate potential hazards for kids online, “much more needs to be done to reach every single child, parent, and caregiver in Ghana.”

She consequently urged greater cooperation between important government service providers, law enforcement organizations, and ICT firms.

“Ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography is important for Ghana now more than ever,” she continued.

Global perspective

Afrooz Kavani Johnson, a child protection specialist who offered a worldwide view on the matter, said that major players must continue to make efforts in order to keep ahead of the risk that children face online.

We don’t have a crystal ball of the scenario, so we need to remain attentive in the region, she said.

Ms. Johnson urged lawmakers to adopt a child-centered approach by actively taking into account the opinions of children when writing laws intended to safeguard them. She also called for legislation to be updated to reflect the rapidly changing technological landscape.

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