Every tenth child aged 12 to 17 in Montenegro who uses the internet (11 percent) has experienced some form of sexual exploitation or sexual abuse using digital technologies, according to the findings of the Disrupting Harm research in Montenegro, UNICEF announced.
The Disrupting Harm research was conducted by UNICEF's Office for Research and Analysis - Innocenti, ECPAT International and INTERPOL, with financial support from Safe Online and in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro.
UNICEF announced that the research is part of a global study conducted in 25 countries in six regions of the world and provides the most detailed data to date on how digital technologies are used for sexual violence against children in Montenegro.
"The findings are based on research conducted between 2023 and 2025, which included a nationally representative sample of 1.039 children aged 12 to 17 and 1.039 of their parents or guardians. In addition, the findings are based on interviews with young people who experienced sexual exploitation or abuse using digital technologies as children, experts from various profiles, representatives of the judiciary and police, as well as on an analysis of current laws and policies. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the risks, but also the way the system responds," it was announced.
As children spend more time online, the risks they face are becoming more complex and harder to identify. New technologies, including artificial intelligence, make it easier to create and disseminate material depicting child sexual abuse, which can happen without their knowledge. At the same time, most children, UNICEF points out, do not report such experiences, which indicates a lack of information, trust in the system and the capacity of institutions to respond adequately.
The research will be presented on Friday at the UN Eco Building, and the event will be opened by UNICEF's young reporters from Montenegro, Lara Novaković and Luka Vujović, who will bring the perspective of children and youth to the discussion.
The event will also be addressed by the Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography Damir Gutić, the Head of UNICEF's Representative Office in Montenegro Mikele Servadei, as well as representatives of Safe Online, ECPAT International, INTERPOL and UNICEF.
The event will bring together representatives of the Government of Montenegro, international organizations, NGOs, experts and youth to discuss the findings and define key steps from strengthening prevention through media, digital and AI literacy of families to improving system responses, accountability of digital platforms and availability of child-friendly support.
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