Fighting Digital Predators: Joint Outreach Equips Children and Parents Against Cyber Exploitation
- linettelintvelt
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Pretoria, 18 March – Experts from Unchain Our Children (UOC) and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joined forces Wednesday night with The Grove Schoombee Foundation at Menlo Park Primary School for a targeted awareness outreach. The event was part of an ongoing campaign, equipping children with vital knowledge about the severe risks of cyber stalking, grooming and online solicitation – tactics frequently used to generate, distribute and sell Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Mr. Johan Claassen, Senior Criminal Investigator and Computer Forensic Agent with US DHS Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Pretoria, delivered a compelling address on the realities of cybercrime. He emphasized the critical importance of reporting suspected CSAM through official channels to enable swift intervention.
The threat of CSAM was unpacked and the mechanics of these offences explained: how they begin on gaming apps, chat platforms and social media, their rapid escalation, and practical prevention steps. The value of healthy internet habits was stressed in order to stop children from falling prey.
UOC Senior Social Worker Nicky McDonald and Founder and Executive Director Wayne van Onselen complemented the presentation with real-world insights drawn from hundreds of cases investigated alongside SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units, especially the FCS Pretoria Moot.
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*The urgency of the message is backed by stark global and local data. More than 300 million children worldwide – roughly one in eight – become victims of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation each year, with 12.5% experiencing online solicitation such as unwanted sexual requests or grooming. In South Africa, 7–9% of internet-using children aged 12–17 reported direct exposure to online sexual exploitation in the past year, including blackmail for sexual images or being offered gifts in exchange for content. NCMEC’s CyberTipline also recorded 546,333 online enticement reports in 2024 alone – a 192% surge – underscoring how quickly innocent online interactions can turn exploitative.
The audience received clear, actionable guidance: maintain open, ongoing communication and monitor behavior changes; activate parental controls and privacy settings; discourage chats with strangers on games and apps; caution children against sharing personal photos or details, noting that even innocent images can be artificially manipulated into CSAM; watch for red flags such as withdrawal, sudden sexualized behavior, dropping grades, self-harm or avoidance of certain people and places previously frequented; and stay informed about official reporting channels. Above all, children must understand that keeping secrets with online strangers is never safe.
The event highlighted the power of coordinated action. Teamwork between UOC, US DHS, SAPS and like-minded partners such as The Grove Schoombee Foundation is essential to deliver consistent, expert-led education to children, parents, teachers and caregivers. By combining international investigative know-how with local social-work experience and community reach, these organisations create a robust shield against exploitation, empower families with prevention tools and build a safer digital future for South Africa’s youth.
Discover & Connect:
The Grove Schoombee Foundation
Unchain Our Children Support
support@unchainourchildren.co.za and National Crisis Line 067 323 7116
Book an Information Session with UOC: Call Wayne: 072 364 8246
*Footnotes:
¹ Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, University of Edinburgh. Into the Light Index (2024). Available at: https://www.childlight.org/into-the-light
² ECPAT International, INTERPOL, UNICEF. Disrupting Harm in South Africa: Evidence on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (2022). Available at: https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/reports/disrupting-harm-south-africa
³ National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). CyberTipline Data (2024). Available at: https://www.missingkids.org/cybertiplinedata
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