Combating the sexual exploitation of children for financial gain

Child sexual exploitation is a heinous crime that extends across borders and adversely impacts victims and communities. It is a form of child abuse where offenders and facilitators use their power, either physical, financial or emotional, over a child or young person to sexually or emotionally abuse them. Child sexual exploitation for financial gain involves a child being coerced or manipulated into engaging in forced sexual activity for financial benefit.

This guide provides indicators and behaviours to help financial service providers review their profiling and transaction monitoring programs to identify and stop payments for child sexual exploitation material and report suspicious activity to AUSTRAC. Payments for child sexual exploitation can be difficult to detect because offenders take considered steps to hide their crimes from friends, family, financial institutions and law enforcement. No single financial indicator will reveal if an account is being used for child sexual exploitation purposes.

It is crucial for law enforcement agencies, government agencies and financial institutions to work in partnership to disrupt payments for child sexual exploitation material and stop the abuse of victims.

Download the Financial crime guide – Combating the sexual exploitation of children for financial gain (PDF, 3.47MB)