WeProtect Global Alliance Model National Response

Sexual exploitation and abuse of children online is a global crisis that affects millions of children. Rapid technological advancements have expanded forms of exploitation, including grooming, live streaming, and the distribution of abuse content. The Model National Response is a practical, adaptable guide that supports countries to build comprehensive strategies to protect children, providing actionable steps tailored to each country’s unique needs, reinforcing laws, raising awareness, and strengthening technological safeguards.

What it is and how it works

The Model National Response (MNR) provides a coordinated, multi-sectoral framework to strengthen child safety responses both offline and online, focusing on prevention, detection, and response in technology-facilitated contexts. It outlines 21 capacities across six categories—policy, justice, industry, society, victim support, and prevention—ensuring a unified approach among governments, NGOs, and the private sector. The MNR Maturity Model and self-assessment tool support continuous improvement, with guidance available in multiple languages.

Evaluation and program outcomes

The 2022 ‘Framing The Future’ report reviewed the MNR across 42 countries, highlighting its role in guiding national action but not assessing progress or service quality. 90% of surveyed countries used the MNR as a reference for best practices, policy development, and progress measurement. While policy, governance, and criminal justice were the most developed areas, gaps remained in victim support, societal engagement, industry, and media domains. The report aimed to foster global learning and exchange on child safety responses.

The MNR has strengthened global efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse, leading to increased incident reporting, faster content removal, and improved collaboration. It has helped countries build proactive, multi-sector, victim-centred responses to online child exploitation, ensuring sustained progress in child protection efforts. 

Despite challenges like limited political will and private sector involvement, the MNR has driven transformative change by:

Challenges

• Lack of investment in comprehensive national responses to prevent and respond to online child sexual exploitation and abuse
• The need to accelerate global collaboration among governments and companies to strengthen prevention and response efforts
• Strengthening the use and collection of data and evidence to enhance effective, sustainable national efforts to protect children
• Promoting the global implementation of the MNR framework, and its continuous refinement based on lessons learned.

Lessons learned 

• Holistic and coordinated approaches are essential: Success hinges on integrating efforts across multiple domains, including policy and governance, criminal justice, victim support, societal prevention, industry engagement, and communication.
• High-level government commitment is critical: Governments play a pivotal role in ensuring resources, legislative support, and a coordinated national strategy to combat online child sexual exploitation.
• Importance of tech industry collaboration: Effective engagement with the private sector, particularly technology companies, is vital for creating safe online environments and addressing technology-facilitated child sexual violence.
• Comprehensive support systems are necessary: Programs should include robust victim support services, such as hotlines and accessible reporting mechanisms, along with education and awareness campaigns to increase societal understanding.
• Context-specific implementation enhances effectiveness: Strategies must be tailored to local contexts to address unique cultural, legal, and technological environments, ensuring relevance and impact.
• Challenges in addressing online and offline divides: Bridging the gap between online and offline child exploitation requires integrated responses that recognise their interconnected nature.