Private Sector Partners

The private sector has a vital role to play in tackling online child abuse, and a number of private sector players are working with the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) to help make the internet safer by design.

Private sector partners may include those from industry, academia and non-government organisations.

To recognise those organisations that are leading the way in promoting safety on the internet, the VGT encourages private sector partnership. The aim is to publicly recognise good corporate citizenship, support innovative thinking and, ultimately, to reduce the incidence of child abuse online.

Current VGT private sector partners

ECPAT

ECPAT is a global network of organisations committed to protecting children from commercial sexual exploitation. By having an in-depth understanding of the online experiences of children, ECPAT is able to share valuable research and intelligence with other VGT partners and law enforcement agencies.

INHOPE

INHOPE supports and coordinates worldwide internet hotlines dealing with illegal content online, primarily child sexual abuse material. With internet hotlines being an effective first line of defence against illegal activity online, INHOPE’s work strongly aligns with the VGT’s aims of keeping children safe online.

ICMEC

ICMEC is leading a global movement to protect children from sexual exploitation and abduction. ICMEC works with partners on six continents to provide governments, law enforcement agencies, private sector companies, and non governmental organisations with the training, expertise and support required to enforce and protect the rights of children.

NCMEC

NCMEC is the primary entity within the U.S. to receive reports of child exploitation, child sex tourism, and child abuse. NCMEC has been a strong partner in prevention, education, and outreach, and conducts many activities related to these topics that can’t be performed by law enforcement.

PayPal

PayPal is a payment processor, which employs multiple sophisticated models to detect and remove accounts that are involved in the distribution of child sexual exploitation material. PayPal is also a member of the Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography and the Asia Pacific Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography.

Becoming a VGT private sector partner

By joining the VGT as a private sector partner, organisations can help reduce the threat to children online and demonstrate their commitment to community safety and crime reduction.

To become a private sector partner of the VGT, organisations must follow five principles:

1. have a proven track record of cooperation with, and a public commitment to, law enforcement
2. have a pro-active commitment to combating child abuse online and making the internet safer by design
3. actively support law enforcement on individual crime prevention and reduction strategies, including those developed by the VGT
4. show commitment to the development of effective educational programs that promote safety on the internet
5. actively support and promote the work of the VGT.

Contact the VGT for more information on becoming a VGT private sector partner.