Police target online child abuse

Law enforcement agencies from around the world have teamed up on a web-based initiative to try and prevent online child abuse.

The initiative's aim is to help fight child abuse being committed online, and also to educate people about children's safety online.

Law enforcement agencies from Australia, the UK, Canada, the US and Interpol are taking part in the Virtual Global Taskforce partnership.

Mick Keelty, Australian Federal Police Commissioner, said that the initiative demonstrated commitment on a global scale by law enforcement agencies to combating online child abuse.

"This website will play a pivotal role in educating the international community about internet safety, as well as sending a clear message to those people who are using the internet to prey on children that the internet is not an anonymous place," Keelty said.

The site will have links to support agencies which can advise and support victims of abuse. "It will also allow for internet users to report online child abuse to appropriate law enforcement agencies in a number of different countries," according to a statement.