SOS-Forum addresses rising online child sexual abuse in India

New Delhi, September 25, 2023. The SOS-Forum, a joint initiative by Missing Link Trust and CyberPeace in collaboration with PVR Cinemas, aims to combat online child sexual abuse and empower students to reclaim their digital rights. It's a unique platform that connects students with professionals spanning various fields - law enforcement, cyber safety, psychology, education, and media. This comprehensive strategy is an integral part of the #SOS campaign, an acronym for "Stop Online Stalkers." The campaign's primary objective is to increase awareness of the dangers associated with online abuse and offer access to a Child Online Safety Desk, facilitating connections between families and the appropriate experts.

The SOS-Forum has already made an impact in three Indian cities: Kolkata, Delhi, and Ranchi, reaching students from several schools. Interactive discussions covered critical topics like cyberbullying, online privacy, digital citizenship, and cybercrime prevention. In addition to sharing their experiences, students creatively expressed their thoughts and emotions through slams and poems, highlighting the grave issue of child trafficking. The forum served as a platform for imparting crucial insights and strategies for self-protection and for safeguarding others from online threats.

The panel discussions on cybersecurity and online safety at the SOS-Forum featured representatives from various sectors, including students, educators, issue experts, and cyber safety professionals. The discussions addressed a range of issues, providing solutions and insights.In its mission to raise awareness about online child sexual abuse and cyber safety, the SOS Campaign has launched a unique Public Service Announcement (PSA) film. The film is screened at PVR INOX Cinemas across India, targeting an audience of around 20 million viewers, including families and children. The film also introduces the SOS Child Online Safety Desk, a WhatsApp-based tool offering 24/7 information and support. Anyone seeking help can send a message to 60030 60040.