On the occasion of the national day against pedophilia and child pornography which occurs on May 5th, the Postal Police – the specialized branch of the State Police responsible for preventing and combating cyber crime and which links its origins precisely to the theme of the protection of minors from every possible form of online exploitation and abuse – has prepared a dossier that illustrates the main and most current phenomena, the counteractions, the state of partnerships with the private sector, as well as prevention and awareness initiatives for users.
Throughout Italy, in 2023, there will be 28,355 sites analyzed overall by Postal specialists, of which almost 2,800 included in the black list of sites containing representations of sexual exploitation of minors. Over 1100 people identified and reported for downloading, sharing and exchanging photos and videos of sexual abuse against minors. Sexual extortion is on the rise, and the phenomenon of online solicitation is on the rise, although it mainly concerns the 10-13 age group.
The Operational Center for Cyber Security – Postal Police “Puglia” based in Bari, and the territorial Operational Sections of Lecce, Brindisi, Taranto and Foggia, have contributed to the achievement of important results in the fight against child pornography over the last 12 months online, making 5 arrests and reporting 36 people for crimes of possession of child pornography and solicitation of minors online. The constant commitment also in preventing the phenomenon through over 100 training and information meetings for young people, in order to guide them towards an informed use of social media and the new frontiers of telematic communication.
Collaborations continue with important players who share projects, values and objectives with the Postal Service, and the prevention initiatives that the Postal Police conduct to spread the culture of digital security and stem the continuous challenges that are renewed and intensified every day in the virtual world, also through the official portal of the police station dipsonline.
