Childlight’s first flagship report, Searchlight 2023, explores the nature of CSEA through nine new research studies. Here, our researchers share some of their learnings from the project.
Clicks for cash: A rapid review of the economy of TF-CSEA
The Advisory Panel created to oversee this study was key to its success. Buildling on previous collaborations between the Lancet Commission and Childlight, the project demonstrated the power of collaborations in addressing this global pandemic. Having panel members who were both experts in the field and actively invested in driving impact proved invaluable for developing next research steps.
Like many research projects, meeting strict publication deadlines posed significant time pressures throughout the study.
Following the money: Examining inline financial behaviour to detect child sexual exploitation.
The project benefitted significantly from ongoing conversations with financial intelligence officers and sustained engagement with financial data over several years. The research clearly established a strategic role for academic research in gathering useful data that enables the financial sector to disrupt CSEA.
Coordinating and centralising financial contacts across different geographic locations proved challenging. It was also difficult to ‘activate’ these relationships beyond knowledge translation into concrete action.
Following this study, a financial working group has been established within Childlight to explore collaborative approaches with partners to influence this critical area in the CSEA cycle. An aspiration is to work with financial stakeholders to develop a toolkit of key indicators that can be incorporated into future perpetrator prevalence surveys.
Swipe wrong: How sex offenders target single parents on dating apps to exploit their children
The study generated substantial media interest and contributed to larger global conversations about online safety. It effectively merged concerns about women’s and children’s online safety in way that resonated with multiple audiences.
Time and resource contractions have limited the ability to follow up on conversations and opportunities arising from this work.
The project sits within a broader portfolio examining the overlap between violence against women and child sexual abuse. This remains an important area that Childlight hopes to continue developing alongside partners working on issues of gender..
Childlight aspires to conduct further research into dating app safety and related risks.
Hidden casualties of war: CSAM possession during humanitarian crises
The project benefitted from existing awareness and established relationships with CSAM data owners. Collaborating with partners who share your values and commitment to child safety is essential to conducting this sensitive research effectively.
Absolute clarity on what data is available and how it can be interpreted proved crucial. Initial discussions should establish clear expectations about what will be provided, ensuring both data providers and researchers have complete understanding from the outset.
Once agreements are reached, obtaining data as quickly as possible is important to allow research to proceed in a timely manner. Delays in receiving data create added pressure for researchers, particularly when working to strict publication deadlines.
Having an independent party oversee the research who is not directly connected to it can be valuable when data challenges arise and need to be discussed objectively.
Regular position statements proved helpful throughout the project, ensuring all parties maintained clear understanding of their mutual expectations.
Who is accountable in legislation for AI Gen CSAM, 5 Eyes nations?
This study followed on from the Searchlight 2023 extended reality report, examining generative AI legislation across the Five Eyes nations (UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The project benefitted significantly from the individual expertise of team members. Locating collaborators with specific expertise in each jurisdictional context was paramount to success. This approach accelerated the study and kept it on schedule.
Drafting memoranda of understanding and contractual agreements took considerable time. A key reflection for future large-scale, multi-researcher studies is the need to provide collaborators with firmer editorial guidelines from the outset. Utilising a research assistant from a university pool accelerated the editing process effectively.
Clearer communication about final deliverables would have further assisted the project. Formulating an advisory group presented initial challenges, however, this proved worthwhile as the group provided important feedback throughout the study.
Access Denied: How Blocklists are thwarting attempts to view CSAM
The key benefit to this project was engaging with a data partner who served as both co-researcher and advocate, sharing a passion for involving the Domain Name System (DNS) Answering Service in disruption efforts.
Legal agreements took longer than anticipated. Researchers in this field may need to adjust pre-research timelines to accommodate these processes. Early engagement with private companies, particularly involving legal teams, is advantageous. This approach allows for resolution of data transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements and other issues early in the process, preventing delays later in the research.
