Internet abuse hotline (2)

I refer to the article Child Abuse Hotline Stopped (July 16). In 2006, Agenzija Appogg initiated a project aimed at generating awareness about internet safety and providing a service to those who came across child abuse over the internet. It was co-financed by the European Commission and came to an end in February 2008.

Local stakeholders involved in the project also included the Ministry for Social Policy, Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, the Cyber Crime Unit of the Malta Police Force, the Education Department, FES and Parents' Associations, Church schools, the Commissioner for Children, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, and local internet service providers.

This project consisted of various educational programmes and campaigns targeted towards children and the public on safer internet use. These campaigns included media interventions, talks within the community and schools aimed at both children and their parents, as well as an online reporting system on Agenzija Appogg's website (www.appogg.gov.mt). Through this online reporting system and through Appogg Supportline 179, the public, including children, were able to submit reports on child abuse over the internet. The reports submitted through this system were analysed by the professionals in the service and the necessary action was then taken. Reports with illegal content or requiring further investigation were referred to the Cyber Crime Unit of the police force. Agenzija Appogg would then be involved in the care of the victims and their parents/carers.

The project was terminated in February 2008, after the funds from the European Commission ended. However, Agenzija Appogg decided that the online reporting system should be maintained to give people the opportunity to report any illegal or harmful content. Supportline 179 remains an ongoing service which can also be used to report such abuse. The agency still receives and processes the reports, however this happens through the service manager and another professional on a voluntary basis. Appogg also maintains regular contact with the local stakeholders to ensure that all that can be done is actually implemented with all the limitations that the agency faces.

There is, however, much more that one could expect from a hotline service. Awareness and education on the advantages and risks of the internet addressed to children, parents and educators, is an ongoing task which is fundamental in the prevention of abuse over the internet. This would surely increase the number of reports and requests for guidance on issues pertaining to child abuse over the internet, which would need proper and immediate attention by adequate and professional staff. Moreover, Agenzija Appogg has submitted a new application for EU funds for another such project on child abuse over the internet.

The online reporting system is accessible from http://www.appogg.gov.mt/hotline_reportillegalcontent.asp and the public can also call on Supportline 179, which is available 24-hours a day, free of charge.