On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the International Center “La Strada” reaffirms the systemic failure of the Republic of Moldova in its national response to human trafficking. In its most recent report published this June, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) confirmed multiple gaps in the implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The authorities’ response is described as fragmented and poorly adapted to the real needs of the most vulnerable. GRETA highlighted priority areas requiring urgent intervention by the authorities, including: Preventing the exploitation of children in residential institutions and exploitation through agricultural labor; Identifying victims of human trafficking, in particular victims of labor exploitation and victims among asylum seekers or foreign migrants; Providing long-term assistance to victims and supporting their reintegration into society, including through access to the labor market and social services; Ensuring that all victims of human trafficking have effective access to public healthcare by including them among the vulnerable groups covered by medical insurance. Ensuring prompt investigation and effective prosecution leading to proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, as well as trials within a reasonable time frame, in line with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (Article 6 §1 of the ECHR) and standards set by the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), among others. Earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) condemned the Republic of Moldova for the ineffective investigation of a forced labor and sexual abuse complaint committed by a foster family where a woman with intellectual disabilities had been placed following her deinstitutionalization from a neuropsychiatric residential facility (I.C. v. the Republic of Moldova). The ECtHR found that the state had failed to prevent trafficking and exploitation risks. Although the specific circumstances of the case indicated a credible suspicion that the applicant might have been a victim of human trafficking or other forms of exploitation, the authorities failed to prevent such risks. The investigation was superficial, ignoring the coercive context and the applicant’s vulnerability. Prosecutors failed to examine alternative offences, even though the facts described by the applicant did not meet all the elements of the human trafficking offence. This case is not unique. In the past five years, 935 human trafficking victims have been identified in the Republic of Moldova. Most come from extremely vulnerable backgrounds – impoverished rural areas, dysfunctional families, residential centers for people with disabilities, the unemployed, or struggling migrants. During this period, the International Center “La Strada” has recorded 331 calls concerning suspected trafficking and exploitation cases affecting 525 persons, and has provided psychological and legal assistance to 73 child trafficking victims. The experience of the International Center “La Strada” in the field of anti-trafficking confirms the following systemic issues: Human trafficking is deeply affected by recent migration trends and the impact of technology, which change the way the phenomenon manifests itself. This creates challenges for classifying offences and collecting evidence. Lengthy investigations and delayed court proceedings are used as a defense strategy. In many cases, especially those involving multiple defendants, the defense deliberately uses various tactics to prolong trials, undermining victims’ trust in justice and exposing them to stereotypes and prejudice. Human trafficking and child trafficking cases are often identified too late. In some cases, minor victims were identified only after five years of sexual exploitation. National authorities have limited capacity to respond to cases of human trafficking involving foreign migrants identified on Moldovan territory. On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July, the International Center “La Strada” calls on the Government to adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing the violations found in I.C. v. Moldova and preventing future violations. When developing the action plan to implement this judgment, we urge the Government to take into account GRETA’s findings in this field. In the context of institutional reforms eliminating the specialization of law enforcement and the judiciary in investigating and adjudicating human trafficking cases, we call on the authorities to urgently undertake the following actions: Develop a dynamic analysis of human trafficking, focusing on new trends and challenges; Conduct an impact assessment of reforms in law enforcement and the judiciary in the anti-trafficking field, taking into account international recommendations, including those set out in Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament; Provide training to all police officers within the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the National Inspectorate of Investigations and territorial police inspectors on investigating human trafficking offences and applying a victim-centered approach, including in cases of non-commercial sexual exploitation; Develop and circulate guidelines/instructions on efficient investigation and evidence examination procedures in human trafficking cases, including recommendations on the role and involvement of other professionals supporting victims (escorts, psychologists, etc.). The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on 30 July, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 68/192 of 18 December 2013.

The International Center “La Strada” strongly condemns the repeated attempts by Dima White to “cleanse” his public image and create the illusion of improved moral character as a strategy to obtain a more lenient sentence. Over the past two years, Dima White has employed various tactics to project a positive public persona in an effort to mitigate his potential punishment. Meanwhile, during this same period, the individuals harmed by this young perpetrator have been undergoing a difficult rehabilitation process with the support of psychological and legal assistance. In stark contrast, the vlogger has continued to rebuild his public image through charitable acts, the creation of positive content on TikTok, and other activities aimed at downplaying the severity of his actions and manipulating public opinion. These efforts appear to be part of a broader strategy to secure a lighter sentence and minimize the reputational damage caused by the serious allegations, especially considering that there is still no final judgment in the case. This is not the first time sexual offenders have employed such tactics in court, often presenting positive character references from individuals in positions of authority or trust, such as priests or mayors. These actions do not erase the crimes committed. On the contrary, they diminish their perceived severity in the eyes of the public and send a dangerous message to society at large: that sexual assault can be excused if the perpetrator has enough influence or public visibility. The circulation of footage showing Dima White receiving a blessing from the Metropolitan of Moldova — without any reference to the ongoing criminal case — not only provides public validation for an alleged offender but can also be interpreted as a form of absolution or forgiveness before justice has had the chance to be served. In a society where, tragically, a child is sexually abused every day, and where moral institutions — religious, cultural, or educational — are among the most trusted by the population, such gestures risk sowing moral confusion and perpetuating a culture of silence and impunity. Women and children who have suffered abuse deserve support, validation, and safety—not messages that call the severity of their trauma into question. We reiterate the following: A perpetrator’s positive traits, charitable actions after the fact, or public image do not erase the abuse committed against a child. Rather, they reveal the perpetrator’s desperation to escape accountability. Sexual abuse is a criminal act — not a “mistake” that can be overlooked. Every act of abuse must be punished in a way that deters future crimes. Public support for aggressors only deepens the trauma experienced by victims. The trauma endured by victims — the fear, sleepless nights, shame, and despair — requires years of recovery, substantial financial resources for therapy, and often results in serious relationship difficulties. These consequences cannot be “washed away” by any post-crime positive behavior of the abuser. We call on all public and moral institutions in the Republic of Moldova to refrain from actions that could be interpreted as tacit support for aggressors, regardless of their social status or popularity. It is our collective responsibility as a society to protect victims, educate about consent, and reject all forms of violence. We remind the public that in the summer of 2023, the International Center “La Strada,” referring to the case of TikToker Dima White, stated that offering money or other goods in exchange for photos or videos of an intimate or sexual nature constitutes sexual exploitation. Indecent proposals, offensive comments, and other behaviors by the TikToker that created a hostile and degrading environment or inflicted suffering on those involved in his videos are illegal. A person’s body cannot be used as a means of generating profit. Moreover, the online promotion of such video content contributes to the normalization of sexual violence. The International Center “La Strada” is currently providing psychological and legal assistance to a victim of the sexual abuse committed by Dima White in 2023. The case is currently under review in the first-instance court. However, the legal proceedings are being continuously delayed by the defendant, who has failed to appear at all three scheduled court hearings since April. As a result, Dima White now risks being brought to court by force. We also remind the public that all photo and video materials involving minors in sexualized contexts can be reported via the platform www.siguronline.md. Since April 2023, this platform has functioned as a national reporting service for child sexual abuse materials, working in collaboration with ICT companies and law enforcement to ensure the removal of such illegal content from the internet.

The International “La Strada” Center and the Moldovan Association of ICT Companies (ATIC) signed a cooperation agreement today, July 11, 2025, to promote online safety for children and women. The signed document formalizes the partnership between the two institutions, based on complementary visions: on one hand, protecting the rights of children and women in the digital environment, and on the other, promoting responsible digital transformation for the benefit of citizens. The agreement was signed by Elena Botezatu, Executive Director of the International “La Strada” Center, and Irina Oriol, Executive Director of ATIC, who reaffirmed the shared commitment of their institutions to collaborate in a structured manner to develop and implement a series of joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the safety of children and women online and supporting the creation of a safe and responsible digital space. These initiatives include the implementation of joint projects and activities in digital education, awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, and training sessions focused on preventing and combating online risks. Additionally, both parties commit to promoting child-friendly and secure digital solutions and supporting the development of regulatory frameworks for the protection of children in the virtual environment. The partnership will also contribute to strengthening mechanisms for identifying and reporting abusive content involving children, including through the involvement of ATIC member companies and the use of innovative technologies. Furthermore, the operation of the Child Abuse Material Reporting Service will be supported, along with the organization of events, workshops, and courses dedicated to raising awareness about risks associated with the digital environment, among others. “This partnership holds special strategic value for us. We are glad that the private sector, especially IT companies, will join us in one of our key missions: making the internet safer for children and women. We are confident that by combining our social expertise with the technological know-how of our colleagues at ATIC, we will make concrete and valuable progress in this direction — and indeed, we succeed when we work alongside dedicated professionals” said Elena Botezatu. Similarly, ATIC’s Executive Director, Irina Oriol, emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration in building a safer online environment, reiterating that the involvement of industry companies will undoubtedly accelerate this process. The International “La Strada” Center appreciates ATIC’s openness, as a unifying platform for the ICT sector in the Republic of Moldova, to integrate online safety into the digital transformation agenda aimed at benefiting citizens. This shared vision makes the partnership established today both possible and welcome, focused on creating a safer internet for its most vulnerable users — children. The agreement is valid for a period of three years and provides clear mechanisms for cooperation, responsibility, and progress monitoring.

The Number of Reports Concerning the Hosting of Child Sexual Abuse Material Online in the Republic of Moldova Continues to Rise Throughout 2024, the SigurOnline Hotline, the national reporting service for child sexual abuse material (CSAM), recorded 11,894 reports, marking a nearly fivefold increase compared to 2023. Additionally, last year, 122 criminal cases were registered involving sexual offences against children committed through the use of information technologies, compared to 72 cases in 2023. Iurie Roșca, Head of the Cybercrime Investigation Centre of the National Investigation Inspectorate under the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), believes that the Republic of Moldova remains an attractive destination for the hosting of illegal online content, including CSAM. This situation is facilitated by the existence of a well-developed and accessible digital infrastructure. According to Roșca, in 2024 Moldova ranked 15th globally in terms of the number of such materials hosted, with 19,593 files identified on servers located in the country. Elena Botezatu, Executive Director of the International Center La Strada, noted that 2024 was a year of both challenges and progress. "There is an unseen reality online, a reality of abuse. The Internet remains a risky space for children, but also one where, through joint efforts, lives can be saved. Every image taken down is a step toward safety. Every report submitted is a refusal to normalize abuse. We need clearer legislation, ongoing engagement, and stronger interinstitutional collaboration to ensure that child protection in the digital space becomes a daily reality, not just an ideal"  Botezatu emphasized. Last year, the reporting service issued 10,949 notifications requesting the removal of CSAM from hosting providers. Following these notices, hosting providers blocked access to or removed 29,620 files containing abusive content. Over half of the removed materials consisted of entire web pages displaying from a few to hundreds of media files (photos, screenshots, videos, etc.). According to the 2024 annual report of the SigurOnline Hotline, 68% of all reported materials involved girls—accounting for 7,623 files. Another 33 materials involved boys, while 147 materials featured both boys and girls shown in sexual activities or in contexts indicative of sexual abuse. This trend is consistent with 2023 data and highlights a persistent and concerning typology in online CSAM: girls remain disproportionately vulnerable to this form of exploitation. In 2024, 7,336 reported files involved children aged 3 to 13, with 4 cases involving children under the age of 2. Moreover, in over 60% of reports, the children depicted were between 7 and 10 years old, making this age group the most frequently reported in CSAM. The global expansion of artificial intelligence and its use in the commission of sexual abuse against children has reached a new dimension. AI-generated CSAM has advanced to the point where analysts at reporting services are now encountering highly realistic videos that are extremely difficult to distinguish from real footage. The report notes that the Hotline received reports of 62 links containing virtual material—87% consisting of comics and 13% AI-generated images. These included over 10,000 images and videos created with artificial intelligence or anime-style systems. Under current national legislation, these materials are not classified as illegal and therefore cannot be removed from online platforms. At the same time, 69% of reported materials were identified as self-generated content, a highly alarming trend that represents a significant risk to children. These self-produced images or videos often involve children who have been manipulated, coerced, or blackmailed into creating and sharing explicit content. This not only endangers their current safety and integrity but also increases the risk of further exploitation. During the reporting period, one-third of reports concerned illegal content hosted on commercial websites. These platforms are used to generate revenue by selling access to CSAM through download fees or subscription-based models offering access to illegal collections. The full report is available HERE, and a summary of the key data in figures can be accessed HERE. It is worth noting that www.siguronline.md is an international service that operates according to the Hotline standards for reporting CSAM. The SigurOnline Hotline is accredited by INHOPE, the international network uniting 57 hotlines from 52 countries worldwide. The service is managed by the International Center La Strada in partnership with the General Police Inspectorate of the Republic of Moldova and private sector ICT companies. Its mission includes the identification, referral, notification, removal, and prevention of the redistribution of CSAM online. In 2024, the Hotline’s operation was made possible through the support of UNICEF Moldova, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Embassy of the United States in Chișinău. These partners have contributed to strengthening efforts to prevent and combat the sexual exploitation of children online, by enhancing institutional capacity, supporting professionals, and facilitating interinstitutional cooperation.