Countries of child abuse cases identified across 190 datasets during latest Europol Victim Identification Task Force.
Between 12 and 23 May 2025, victim identification experts from over 30 countries and Europol analysed hundreds of images and videos depicting unidentified victims of child sexual abuse during the 16th edition of the Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF). This two-week operation at Europol’s headquarters is dedicated to tracking down perpetrators and identifying victims across 100 million images and videos of child sexual abuse material, seized by law enforcement agencies worldwide and contributed to Europol’s databases.
The collaborative nature of the task force is one of its greatest strengths. Investigators brought with them specific professional expertise as well as a rich variety of cultural perspectives and language skills, which are crucial in navigating the global scope of these crimes. The diverse backgrounds often prove crucial in interpreting subtle clues perceived on the imagery that can lead to identifying a location or a victim.
More than 50 cases referred to national authorities for further investigation
During the two-week operation, participants examined about 250 datasets, each depicting an unidentified child victim. Thanks to their meticulous analysis and shared knowledge, the likely country of offence was determined in about 190 datasets. Europol has already shared more than 50 of these cases with national authorities, with further dissemination ongoing. So far, three of the victims have been identified and safeguarded by the relevant national authorities.
The analysed datasets varied from recordings of direct sexual exploitation committed by unknown offenders against child victims, to recordings of livestreamed sexual exposure committed by minors due to enticement and coercion by various offenders. The victims shown span all ages and come from various regions around the world, from toddlers to adolescents, highlighting the horrific reach and indiscriminate nature of these crimes.
Identifying victims in such a large volume of materials is made even more complex by the ever-growing digital landscape. Since 2014, VIDTF operations have helped safeguard over 940 children and contributed to the arrest of more than 283 offenders. These figures reflect the real-world impact of coordinated, cross-border efforts in the fight to protect the most vulnerable.
Check the new uploads – no clue is too small!
Help us identify the origin of certain objects visible in child abuse material. Just one lead can save a child. Read about Europol’s Trace an Object initiative and see if you recognise any of the objects in the images. Europol has just released a new series of pictures containing non-confrontational details of images extracted from child sexual abuse cold cases. Just as investigators from across the globe contribute through their diverse cultural insights, language skills, and local knowledge, members of the public are encouraged to bring their own unique perspectives to this collective effort. Whether it's recognising a regional brand, a household item common in a specific country, or a language cue, your input could be pivotal. No detail is too small—and your engagement could help safeguard a child or assist in bringing an abuser to justice.
Note to media:
Europol encourages you to use the term ‘child (sexual) abuse material’ and not ‘child pornography’ in your reporting.
The use of the term ‘child pornography’ helps child sex abusers as it indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim, and therefore legality on the part of the sex abuser. By using the phrase ‘child pornography’, it conjures up images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse. Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not pornography.
The following countries took part of the VIDTF 16:
EU Member States: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Non-EU Member States: Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Moldova, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
EU agencies and international organisations: Europol, INTERPOL, The Council of Europe, through its CyberSEE project, and the project “Fighting against Organised Crime in the Eastern Partnership region” also supported the VIDTF 16.
* VIDTF (Victim Identification Task Force) 16 is a 2-week Europol operation held annually, focusing on identifying victims of child sexual abuse. During VIDTF 16, held in May 2025, experts from over 30 countries and Europol analyzed hundreds of images and videos to locate perpetrators and identify victims within Europol's databases. The task force utilizes the collaborative expertise and diverse perspectives of international law enforcement professionals to identify potential leads.
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