IJM Calls for Digital Duty of Care in Australia
CANBERRA — International Justice Mission (IJM), the world’s largest anti-slavery organisation, has urged the Australian Government to enhance its laws to combat the rise of livestreamed child sexual abuse. A forum held today at Parliament House in Canberra highlighted the need for a Digital Duty of Care to compel tech companies to address this issue.
The event, organised by IJM, brought together lawmakers, the eSafety Commissioner, and experts to discuss the increasing prevalence of child abuse streaming in Australia and the Asia Pacific. Sharon Pursey OBE, co-founder of SafeToNet, demonstrated technology aimed at blocking harmful content.
Technology and Legal Reforms
David Braga, CEO of IJM Australia, stated that livestreamed child abuse is rapidly growing and often goes unnoticed, with Australian men among the leading consumers of such content from the Philippines. Braga called for urgent legal reforms, emphasising that current laws are inadequate in preventing offenders from using popular messaging apps to exploit children.
The eSafety Commissioner’s reports indicate that many tech companies fail to detect and disrupt online child exploitation, despite existing technologies that could address these issues. IJM advocates for a robust Digital Duty of Care to hold tech companies accountable for preventing child abuse on their platforms.
Technology solutions like SafeToNet’s HarmBlock, which can block illegal content on devices without compromising user privacy, were highlighted as essential tools in this fight. IJM’s call for action is underscored by a report revealing that a significant number of Australian men have engaged in or considered engaging in webcam activities with children.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 12:37 pm
