The CSAM Deterrence Centre is a pioneering initiative born from the collaboration between Stop It Now! Australia (a Jesuit Social Services initiative) and the University of Tasmania (UTAS). This partnership brings together the strengths of a social change organisation and academia to address the critical issue of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the internet.
Stop It Now! at Jesuit Social Services
Jesuit Social Services brings decades of experience accompanying and working with people and communities who are excluded and isolated, and who often experience multiple and complex challenges. Jesuit Social Services has developed and runs the Stop It Now! helpline
in Australia, and is uniquely placed to contribute to the prevention of CSAM by supporting individuals concerned about their online sexual behaviour towards children to prevent offending. In partnership with a range of universities, Jesuit Social Services has also led significant research focused on informing perpetrator focused prevention.
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
The University of Tasmania team have been involved in CSAM research for the last 15 years, undertaking pioneering work in verifying the effectiveness of warning messages. The University’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration makes it an ideal partner in this endeavour. UTAS brings cutting-edge research capabilities, technological expertise, and a strong academic foundation to the Centre, ensuring that our strategies are grounded in the latest scientific evidence.
Our Mission
Together, Jesuit Social Services and UTAS have established the CSAM Deterrence Centre with a clear mission: to create a safer online environment by making the internet a place hostile for CSAM. Our approach is multi-faceted, focusing on prevention, disruption, and education. By leveraging the combined expertise of the organisations, we aim to develop and implement innovative strategies that effectively combat the proliferation of CSAM.
Collaboration and Impact
The partnership between a social change organisation and academia exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing complex issues. By working together, we can harness our strengths to drive meaningful change. Our CSAM Deterrence Centre is committed to fostering strong partnerships with technology companies to create a united front against CSAM.
The CSAM Deterrence Centre is supported by The Planet Wheeler Foundation. We are grateful that they share our commitment to preventing child sexual abuse.