ALUNA

INTRODUCTION

Child sexual abuse and exploitation are among the worst forms of violence against children and constitute serious crimes that know no borders. The continuous increase in child sexual abuse and exploitation, not least due to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlight the importance of harmonised national legislation and international cooperation to prevent these offenses, protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators. The fight against these awful crimes is a global fight that involves governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society, communities, and, of course, companies.

Thus, we have asked ‘Paul and Carlotta’ what is the project about and why is it important?

WHAT IS IT ABOUT

“ALUNA will complement HEROES (H2020 Project), taking advantage of the tools and procedures implemented to multiply the results obtained separately, generating an inherently higher level of efficiency in production, creativity, and overall output. The synergy generated by HEROES and ALUNA will result in a robust and complete set of forensic tools. For example, ALUNA includes a complete set of audio-based tools (audio signature, voice recognition...) that will complement the Multimedia Forensic Module of HEROES”. “To achieve this ALUNA aims to innovate using data mining techniques, composition, grouping, classification, and other ways of artificial reasoning, to allow the automatic identification of events of interest. In addition, ALUNA will research and develop algorithms and guidelines to help LEAs extract all the information required from a compromised encrypted device linked to an CSAM/CSEM criminal investigation. In this sense, cutting-edge steganalysis, cryptanalysis, data recovery and techniques to bypass security mechanisms will be implemented to achieve this goal”.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

“The ALUNA project aims to address the problem of CSA/CSE through a multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond the purely technical point of view. Therefore, combining the insights gained to develop a holistic solution that allows multi stakeholders to have resources to prevent, investigate and prosecute CSA/CSE crimes. ALUNA will develop new centred-victims good practices guides, protocols and forensic tools, all based on common practices, standards and protocols to facilitate collaboration and interoperability between multi-stakeholders from any European country, and due to the importance of the subject, from around the world.” “The main impact on society deals with the reduction of illegal activities related to CSAM/CSEM. In Europe, this will be translated into better and more effective procedures to fight against crimes such as people smuggling, grooming, production and distribution of material.  Yet, a strong social awareness is important to raise sensitivity around the topic and increment participation of society. While worldwide the impact concerns primarily countries where the levels of poverty act as a catalyst of criminal activities, among them, those involving CSA/CSE. The design of guidelines and techniques to fight against this issue will consider not only European standards but must be flexible enough to be adopted in and tailor-made for countries aiming to a better collaboration among authorities”.

Aim

ALUNA project proposes an innovative, ambitious, interdisciplinary, international child-protection-centred approach to fight against CSA/CSE crimes. The ALUNA project’s main objective is to use technology to improve the way in which help and support can be provided to victims of CSA/CSE.

Methodology

ALUNA focuses on a 3-fold approach based on 3 pillars or main components (Prevention, Investigation, and Victim Assistance) to establish a coordinated contribution with LEAs by developing an appropriate approach that is capable of addressing specific needs and providing protection to childhood.

Impact

The ALUNA project will establish new innovative strategies that in the short, medium, and long term will improve the way in which LEAs and CSOs carry out criminal investigations, assist rescued victims, and prevent the occurrence of these crimes.