India has reached a turning point in its battle against child exploitation with the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The ruling signifies a serious commitment to protecting the nation’s children from the horrors of digital exploitation. But as Goa faces this new reality, we are compelled to ask: Is our child protection system adequately equipped to meet this challenge? Are we, as a society—government, education systems, civil society organisations—ready to take on the responsibility this judgment demands?
The Supreme Court's decision to replace the term “child pornography” with “Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material” (CSEAM) might seem like a mere linguistic adjustment, but it goes much deeper. This change reframes the way we view crimes against children. It forces us to confront the reality that these materials aren’t just illicit content—they are evidence of criminal abuse. This shift in language reflects a critical step toward recognising the true extent of child exploitation and placing the focus where it belongs: on the harm inflicted upon innocent children.
But while this is a step in the right direction at the national level, is Goa prepared to adapt its own child protection mechanisms to address this issue? The answer is not just about changing terms but about ensuring that the systems in place are strong enough to respond to this growing crisis.
The situation is urgent. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2021, cybercrimes against children in India have surged by over 400%. In Goa alone, 43,663 files of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) were downloaded from 30 different URLs in 2021. This data presents a stark reality: Goa is vulnerable to the threats of online exploitation, and the child protection system is not equipped to handle the scale of these crimes.
This should serve as a wake-up call for the government, law enforcement, and civil society organizations in Goa. Are we doing enough? The digital age has opened new avenues for exploitation, and it’s imperative that the state reassesses its strategies and resources to confront these emerging threats head-on.
Goa has made some progress in protecting its children, with initiatives like the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) leading efforts. Campaigns aimed at creating awareness of child abuse and cybercrimes have been valuable, but these efforts need to be scaled up dramatically. The numbers don’t lie: the amount of CSAM being accessed in Goa reveals a system that is struggling to keep up with the rising threat of online exploitation.
So, what needs to change? For starters, the government must invest in modernizing Goa’s child protection systems. This includes equipping law enforcement agencies with advanced technology to track and prosecute those responsible for child exploitation online. But it’s not just about resources—it’s about training as well. Law enforcement, social workers, and child protection officials must be educated on the nuances of digital exploitation, and they must be given the tools and authority to act quickly and decisively when cases arise.
One of the most promising developments in the fight against child sexual exploitation is the emergence of digital forensics. This technology can play a pivotal role in identifying, tracking, and prosecuting individuals involved in CSEAM offenses. Digital forensics enables law enforcement agencies to analyze devices, track the sharing of CSAM, and bring perpetrators to justice.
In Goa, the Goa State Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Science University, Goa Campus, have the potential to play a leading role in this battle. By utilizing cutting-edge digital forensics technology, these institutions can assist in tracing the origin of CSAM, identifying abusers, and providing critical evidence for prosecutions. However, the question remains: Is Goa adequately investing in these resources to ensure that these forensic labs can function at their full potential?
An often-overlooked aspect of this issue is the involvement of minors themselves. Children and teenagers are not just victims of exploitation—they can also become perpetrators, sometimes unwittingly. As children gain greater access to the internet, they may inadvertently share or download explicit material, unaware of the legal and moral consequences of their actions. This introduces a complex dilemma: how do we balance rehabilitation with accountability?
Goa’s juvenile justice system must be prepared to handle such cases with sensitivity and care. Minors who engage in such activities need specialized interventions, including counseling and rehabilitation. But does Goa’s current system have the capacity to provide these services? Are the educators and social workers trained to guide these children towards rehabilitation, or are they being pushed into a system of punishment without proper support?
The Supreme Court’s ruling highlights a critical need for reform, not just in the language of our laws but in the tools we use to enforce them. Goa needs to embrace technology as part of its solution to the rising problem of child exploitation. Advanced tools like AI-enabled systems for tracking CSAM, cyber security initiatives, and stronger collaboration with international agencies can help in addressing the growing volume of online child exploitation material.
But there is an urgent question here: Are our law enforcement agencies equipped with the right technological tools? Is the government willing to invest in modernizing the child protection infrastructure in Goa? Without these investments, our ability to combat online child exploitation will remain limited, and our children will continue to be at risk.
While law enforcement and technological advancements are critical, education remains one of the most powerful tools in preventing child exploitation. Parents, teachers, and children themselves must be educated on the risks posed by online platforms and digital spaces. Schools in Goa should prioritize cyber safety education, ensuring that children understand the consequences of sharing personal information or engaging in risky online behavior.
The responsibility doesn’t lie solely with schools, however. Civil society organizations, community leaders, and the government must all play an active role in educating the public about these dangers. Workshops, training sessions, and awareness campaigns are essential in making sure that children, as well as their caregivers, are informed and prepared to navigate the online world safely.
Civil society organizations have a unique role to play in addressing child exploitation. These organizations are often the first responders, working directly with communities and providing crucial support to victims of abuse. In Goa, non-governmental organizations must collaborate closely with government bodies to ensure that the child protection system is responsive and effective.
Additionally, civil society organizations should advocate for stronger regulations and more robust policies to protect children from exploitation. This includes pushing for child-friendly police stations, advocating for better mental health support for child victims, and working with educational institutions to improve cyber safety initiatives.
Goa’s child protection system has made some progress, but the data makes it clear that much more needs to be done. The Supreme Court’s judgment is a call to reflect on our current systems and their ability to respond to the rapidly evolving threats children face in the digital age.
For the government, this means investing in technology, training law enforcement, and ensuring that policies are updated to reflect the realities of online child exploitation. For the education system, this means making cyber safety education a priority and working to equip students with the knowledge they need to protect themselves. For civil society organizations, it means working in partnership with the government and communities to raise awareness, support victims, and push for stronger protections.
Conclusion: A Moment to Act
India’s Supreme Court has paved the way for a stronger legal framework to combat child sexual exploitation. Now, it’s up to states like Goa to ensure that these reforms are implemented in ways that truly protect children. We must reflect on the gaps in our child protection system and work together—government, educators, law enforcement, civil society, and communities—to create a safer environment for our children. Goa has the potential to lead the way in child protection, but only if we take decisive, collective action to confront these emerging threats. Now is the time to act. The safety and future of Goa’s children depend on it.
The writer is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the DD Kosambi School of Social Sciences and Behavioural Studies.
