Interpol warns child sexual exploitation is a growing global threat

Interpol has warned that child sexual exploitation is becoming a growing global threat, urging countries to strengthen international cooperation and cross-border law enforcement efforts to protect children and other vulnerable populations.

The warning was issued Monday as the world marked the United Nations International Day of Police Cooperation. Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza called for greater coordination between countries to combat crimes that increasingly operate across national borders.

“Child sexual abuse and exploitation” remain among the most serious and challenging crimes for law enforcement, Urquiza said, emphasizing the need for stronger international efforts to identify victims and bring perpetrators to justice.

Interpol database identifies thousands of victims

Interpol said its International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database has helped identify 65,181 child victims and 26,840 perpetrators in 75 countries since it was launched in 2011.

As of July 31, authorities had identified nearly 5,800 child victims in 2026 alone, highlighting the continuing scale of the threat.

The international police organization stressed that child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, cybercrime and organized crime frequently cross national borders. As a result, sharing information and coordinating investigations between countries are essential to protecting vulnerable people and dismantling criminal networks.

Call for stronger international police cooperation

Urquiza used the International Day of Police Cooperation to call for stronger cross-border efforts, emphasizing that effective cooperation can help law enforcement agencies respond more effectively to crimes involving multiple jurisdictions.

The 2026 International Day of Police Cooperation is being observed under the theme “Protecting against vulnerability: building trust and legitimacy in policing.”