From commitment to protection
Revolutionising the fight against child sexual abuse material
In a world where the digital landscape is ever-expanding, the dark reality of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) continues to grow at an alarming rate.
Recognising the urgent need for a robust response, a consortium of dedicated partners came together to form the Protech project. This groundbreaking initiative unites the expertise of eight diverse organisations across the EU and UK from a variety of sectors including therapeutic provision, academia, NGOs and tech with a singular mission: to develop and implement an innovative tool called Salus that aims to help prevent the viewing and distribution of CSAM.
At ARU, Professor Samantha Lundrigan, Director of our International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, is part of the Protech project.
Background and motivation
The motivation behind Protech is rooted in a shared commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of society. The consortium partners, driven by a deep sense of responsibility, embarked on a journey to create a user-centred, on-device safety tech tool that could intervene early with individuals at risk of committing CSAM offences and prevent further victimisation by those who have already offended.
"This groundbreaking initiative [had] a singular mission: to develop and implement an innovative tool called Salus that aims to help prevent the viewing and distribution of child sexual abuse material."
Research process
The journey began with the co-design and development of Salus. This stage involved two cohorts of participants: individuals at self-reported risk of CSAM offending and service providers, including therapists and managers. Through interviews and focus groups conducted across Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, valuable qualitative data was collected and shared with the tech partner, SafetoNet, for prototype development.
The next phase saw the piloting and evaluation of Salus. Participants at risk of viewing CSAM installed and used the app on their devices for three to nine months. Surveys and exit interviews provided crucial feedback, while end-of-pilot focus groups with service providers offered additional insights. Despite some technological challenges, the pilot revealed that Salus, combined with therapeutic support, was beneficial in reducing CSAM viewing. Participants reported that the app encouraged them to pause and reconsider their actions, positively influencing behaviour change.
Findings
The research yielded several significant findings.
- User experience: participants found Salus easy to install and user-friendly, appreciating the subtle CSAM block notifications
- Sense of security: the app provided a sense of safety and security, reinforced by project documentation and explanations from service providers.
- Behavioural impact: most participants reported that Salus, combined with therapeutic support, was beneficial in reducing CSAM viewing. The app encouraged participants to pause and reconsider their actions, positively influencing behaviour change.
- Potential for improvement: there was a consensus among participants and service providers that Salus has significant potential for reducing CSAM viewing and should be improved and expanded in the future.
"Combined with therapeutic support... Participants reported that the app encouraged them to pause and reconsider their actions, positively influencing behaviour change."
Future directions
The findings from Protech will have a lasting impact on the design and deployment of on-device technology to prevent CSAM viewing and distribution. The next steps involve seeking funding to further explore the outcomes and effectiveness of such technology. Long-term studies are needed to determine the practical and therapeutic benefits of using Salus.
