Childlight – Global Child Safety Institute

Academic lead: Prof Deborah Fry

We use the illuminating power of data to shine a light on the hidden pandemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. We catalyse action to safeguard children all over the world, acting with urgency because children can’t wait.

Vision, mission and goals

Our vision is a world where child sexual exploitation and abuse is treated as a global public health issue that can be – and is – prevented.

Our mission is to generate insight that illuminates the prevalence and nature of child sexual abuse and exploitation so that it can be prevented.

Our goals are that:

• Common standards are used to access, collect and interpret CSEA data
• Coordinated CSEA surveillance systems generate timely, high-quality data on prevalence, incidence, trends and emerging risks
• CSEA data is made open and accessible to those who need it
• Data is actively used to design, implement, and strengthen CSEA prevention and response services across countries, sectors and organisations.

Core themes 

Childlight’s contribution is grouped around three core themes that are already demonstrating tangible impact on CSEA research, policy, legislation and professional development:

Making online environments safer for children

Our research on technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and abuse (TFCSEA) is shaping regulatory frameworks, technical safeguards and behaviourally informed interventions. 

Findings from our transparency reporting review are influencing online safety guidance and regulatory transparency standards, while our DNS-blocking effectiveness studies are informing emerging technical safeguard strategies. 

Childlight sits as observer member of the Global Online Safety Regulator Network, where we provide input on matters related to child safety. Through co-leading the £10M ESRC Behavioural Research Hub, we are developing an intervention ontology and evidence-based strategies to improve online child safety. 

Improving responsible AI for children’s safety

Childlight’s novel, first-of-its-kind research on AI-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Extended Reality (XR) harms, delivered through targeted engagement with the Home Office, GCHQ, Scottish Government, and United States Congress, has informed multiple legislative reforms currently under debate. This includes: 

• UK Crime and Policing Bill (explicitly referenced by a Scottish Minister)
• PROACTIV AI Data Act (USA)
• STOP CSAM Act (USA)
• India’s IT Rules. 

Evidence-based child protection system strengthening for CSEA

Childlight’s evidence-based research on child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) has delivered significant global impact. Findings from our Into the Light Index and Searchlight studies have: 

• directly informed a Colombian bill to raise the age of sexual consent
• influenced safe education commitments in 14 countries
• influenced the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to integrate our indicators into global AML frameworks
• supported Interpol, Europol, Homeland Security and local law enforcement in prioritising CSAM data, leading to prosecutions and safeguarding of children across multiple countries.

Partner with us

Childlight welcomes opportunities to connect with researchers, academics and practitioners working in related areas. Through our partnerships, we aim to expand knowledge, strengthen evidence and support collective action to prevent CSEA.

We are particularly interested in partnerships that support knowledge exchange, collaborative research and cross-sector learning.

Our partnership activities include:

• student placements and supervision
• co-authored publications
• collaborative grant applications
• knowledge exchange initiatives
• research collaborations
• youth engagement initiatives.

If you are a student, academic or frontline practitioner working in the field of CSEA, and are interested in collaborating with us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch at: Childlight@ed.ac.uk.

Global Data Fellows Programme

Childlight’s Global Data Fellows (GDF) programme brings together academics and practitioners committed to strengthening child protection through data and evidence.

The programme runs over a 12-month term (January-December) and blends virtual and in-person learning opportunities with collaborative research and professional networking.

The programme aims to:

• strengthen global expertise in CSEA data and evidence
• foster collaboration across sectors and regions
• support innovative, high-impact research and knowledge exchange.

For questions about the GDF Programme, contact Robin Alexander, Programme Manager (Global Data Fellows).

Email Robin Alexander

Learn more about the GDF programme:

Further information is available on Childlight's website.