A NEW European digital support service aimed at helping children and teenagers deal with sexual abuse and online harm has officially launched, with Ireland among the first countries to participate.
The platform, called Help4U, has been created by Europol in partnership with CENTRIC, a research centre focused on public safety.
Help4U is designed to give anyone under the age of 18 a safe, private place to seek guidance when they are worried about something that has happened online.
It also provides resources for parents and teachers who may need to support a child in distress.
Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, said the platform is about giving young people and those who protect them straightforward access to trusted advice.
“Children and young people deserve to be safe and supported both online and offline. This platform is a tangible example of how European cooperation can make a real difference for victims.”
CENTRIC Director Professor Babak Akhgar highlighted that the platform was shaped by the experiences and concerns of young people themselves.
The launch comes as Irish authorities report a sharp rise in online child exploitation and a growing complexity in how offenders target young people.
Since the beginning of 2024, more than 100 child victims of online sexual abuse have been identified and safeguarded by specialist garda units, with some as young as five years old.
Gardaí say the threats facing children online are increasing in both scale and sophistication, driven in part by rapidly evolving technology.
Figures from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau show that 73 children were identified as victims of online sexual abuse in 2024, with a further 39 cases recorded so far this year.
In addition, experts from the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) identified 16 victims within Ireland since July 2024, another 24 abroad, and more than 50 additional cases where children may be at risk.
As part of their ongoing investigations, the Garda’s Victim Identification Team has uploaded over 30,000 images and videos of confirmed child sexual abuse material to an Interpol database, including hundreds involving victims who were previously unknown.
These submissions help international agencies trace offenders and locate children who may still be in danger.
Gardaí warn that offenders are increasingly using AI-generated deepfake images and videos to coerce or manipulate children.
At the same time, financial sexual extortion has surged.
In these situations, minors are pressured into sharing intimate content and then threatened with public exposure unless they pay money.
According to investigators, the “most disturbing” recent trend is a rise in sadistic online enticement, often organised by violent online groups operating on mainstream messaging platforms.
In one Irish case, three children were found to be exploited online by an offender based in another country.
In another, material seized from an Irish suspect led German authorities to identify two children and arrest their father on charges of sexual abuse.
Detective Superintendent Michael Mullen of the GNCCB said that parents and carers need to recognise just how widespread and fast-moving these threats are, RTÉ reports.
He stressed that victims should never give in to blackmail and should always reach out for help.
“Children and teenagers must not engage with strangers online, and they should never create or share intimate content. If something goes wrong, they should speak to a trusted adult or contact Gardaí immediately.”
Europol has noted that many children search online for help before telling an adult, making immediate access to trustworthy information essential.
Young users can read guidance, access live chat support or find nearby services.
The information is written in simple, straightforward language to support those who may be overwhelmed or frightened.
The platform also allows young people to connect with trained professionals who can listen and provide advice.
Ireland participated in the platform’s original pilot, alongside Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Slovenia.
The project has since expanded to 14 countries, with more expected to join in 2026.
The platform was developed with input from experts in psychology, education, IT, data protection, academia and law enforcement across Europe.
See More: An Garda Síochána, Child Abuse, Child Safety, EU
