The Issue

It's a nightmare reality happening at alarming rates: a child is sexually abused – and evidence of that abuse has spread across the internet like wildfire. This abuse material is traumatizing, toxic, illegal and definitely NOT pornography.

How did we get here, to this place where technology has become such a double-edged sword? And how is Thorn responding to ensure we are on the right path to defend children? Let’s take a closer look.

The language we use to talk about child sexual abuse is important. Familiarize yourself with the latest terms and definitions from Thorn to increase your knowledge.

Today the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) released its annual overview of the number of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) reports the organization received in 2020.  The 2020 overview from NCMEC is highlighted by a 28% increase…

The Daily, a podcast from the New York Times, recently produced two episodes on the state of child sexual abuse material on the Internet which were the culmination of months of reporting. It’s a hard story to tell, but we…

Our work does not exist in isolation — we rely on strong relationships with a broad ecosystem of partners, all of whom share our dedication to defending children from sexual abuse. Our initiative to eliminate child sexual abuse material (child…

During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we’re giving a voice to survivors and those working on the front lines of trafficking. While we’re proud of the results of our tools to identify victims faster, we know that the issue doesn’t end…

Worldwide, individuals use the Internet to find child sexual abuse material and connect with others who share their sexual interest in children. This behavior occurs under an assumed level of anonymity, and although some may recognize that this behavior is…

Advances in connectivity, data storage, file sharing and smartphone technology have contributed to an explosive increase in child sexual abuse imagery, making it easier for those who share abusive content to connect and form communities. Traditionally, identification and classification of child sexual…

Earlier this year, Thorn was asked to join the Advisory Board of INHOPE - The International Association of Internet Hotlines, which works with industry and law enforcement partners to ensure that child abuse imagery on the Internet is taken down…