E/CN.15/2014/CRP.1 In the context of child abuse and exploitation, self-generated content comprises images and videos that are produced by and feature children. This includes conduct such as “sexting”, a form of self-generated sexually explicit content. Mass availability of ICTs has increased the production of and loss of control over self-generated content. As Internet access proliferates and becomes increasingly affordable, perpetrators can broadcast live sex abuse of children. Live images of abuse may also be recorded for future distribution in order to generate maximum profit. Victimization risk factors Girls account for the majority of victims of child abuse and exploitation, although boys are increasingly at risk as well. Prior abuse and family dysfunction may elevate the risk of victimization, particularly for commercial sexual exploitation of children. Poverty and migration and social isolation can also have negative repercussions on patterns of commercial sexual exploitation of children. Very young children are increasingly victimized in child sexual abuse material and child sex trafficking and exploitation. Adolescents face the highest risk of cyber-enticement, exposure to harmful material and cyber-bullying. Children who engage in risky online behaviour and inattention to online safety and privacy face a higher risk of exploitation, cyber-enticement, solicitation or grooming. Profile of offenders The motivations of offenders for committing child sex abuse vary. Many possessors of child sexual abuse material are preferential child sex offenders, or paedophiles. Preferential sex offense conduct is also linked to the commercial sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the travel and tourism industries. Both men and women participate in child exploitation, although males constitute the majority of perpetrators in child abuse. Certain forms of exploitation including trafficking and cyber-bullying may, however, have a high prevalence of female perpetrators. Male child sexual abuse material-users and producers are, most commonly, adults in the range of 25 to 40 years of age. Both men and women may engage in cyber-stalking and gender does not constitute a prominent feature in the profile of cyber-bullies. Cyber-bullying is especially prominent amongst children aged approximately 10 to 13 years. Though less common, some adults may also engage in cyber-bullying of children. Child sexual abuse material offenders can have comparatively high levels of education, and this may correlate to offenders’ comfort with and sophistication in the use of technology. Both online and offline abusers may be more likely to have themselves experienced physical and sexual abuse than the general population. Groups of perpetrators constituting organized criminal groups are active in the area of online child abuse, most commonly through the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material and commercial sexual exploitation of children. The structure of such groups can consist of Internet-based social networks of actors who collaborate in both commercial and non-commercial online trading of child sexual abuse material. Chapter Four: Combating the problem International law increasingly recognizes that children deserve special protection. A number of international legal instruments require that States take measures to protect children from abuse and exploitation, as well as to engage in international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and exploitation crimes. States vary considerably in approaches to addressing forms of child abuse and exploitation. While many States criminalize acts such as production of child sexual abuse material, they may differ with respect to elements of the crime and V.14-03040 ix