IJM, Meta, NCMEC, UN and partners deliver training in Côte d’Ivoire to stop online child abuse
May 2024
IJM, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Meta Platforms Inc., the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Homeland Security Investigations, Snap Inc. and other partners are training law enforcement in Côte d’Ivoire to identify sex offenders and protect children from exploitation online.
“We are proud to have supported this vitally important work in partnership with IJM, NCMEC, UNODC, Meta and Law Enforcement agencies.” – Rachel Hochhauser, Snap Inc. Head of Safety Operations Outreach
This training is part of Project Boost, a project strengthening response to CyberTipline reports.
CyberTipline is a mechanism for the public to report suspected child sexual exploitation.
The volume of CyberTipline reports often outpaces law enforcement’s capacity to effectively assess and act on them. To respond to this urgent need, global partners are lending their unique expertise to help law enforcement in Côte d’Ivoire understand and interpret CyberTipline reports.
Project Boost training in Kenya and Nigeria have already led to improvements in justice system responses.
In February this year, Ivorian authorities arrested a 22-year-old national on charges related to suspected financial sextortion of victims overseas.
In April, U.S. authorities charged a co-conspirator in the U.S. with financial sextortion and money laundering.
This latest training will strengthen global and local efforts to clamp down on criminals exploiting children and scamming victims worldwide, as well as helping to safeguard police.
“Child exploitation and sextortion are horrific and global crimes…It’s why we helped build Project Boost.” – Jason Barry, Meta’s Law Enforcement Outreach Manager