French-Thai Week of Law and Justice: Seminar on Combating Child Sexual Abuse
Seminar
On June 11 and 12, 2026, the French Embassy in Thailand organized a Franco-Thai seminar on combating child sexual abuse, as part of the third annual Franco-Thai Law and Justice Week and the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. While tragic incidents in France have recently reignited public outrage and underscored the urgent need for action to protect children, this meeting—organized by the Liaison Magistrate’s Office and the Internal Security Service—brought together magistrates, police officers, academics, institutional experts, and civil society representatives around a shared assessment : child sexual abuse is undeniably a transnational threat that calls for a coordinated, swift, and resolute response.
The first day focused on institutional and judicial issues. Representatives from French and Thai authorities, international child protection organizations, and civil society actors compared their legal frameworks, investigative practices, and the practical aspects of their cooperation. The discussions highlighted a strong convergence of concerns between the two countries, whether regarding strengthening investigative capabilities, identifying victims more effectively, or streamlining the flow of information among the relevant agencies. The speakers emphasized that the fight against the sexual exploitation of minors does not stop at national borders. In fact, it requires reliable channels for mutual legal assistance, designated points of contact, and procedures that are flexible enough to keep pace with the perpetrators, who relentlessly exploit the loopholes in international law.
The second day focused on the handling of reports and on the role of technical stakeholders in preventing illegal content online. Specialized investigative agencies in France and Thailand detailed the support pathways, from the initial report through to the referral of victims to support services. Presentations by Thai civil society organizations and representatives of the digital ecosystem highlighted the critical role of online platforms : their ability to detect, remove, and report child sexual abuse material directly determines how quickly law enforcement can respond. The speakers emphasized that every hour counts in these sensitive cases. Thus, every additional day of delay increases the risk to the children involved, complicates the identification of the perpetrators, and weakens the chain of evidence.
Throughout the discussions, participants highlighted the growing scale of digital threats : grooming, sextortion, livestreaming of abuse, and the misuse of generative artificial intelligence to produce images of child sexual abuse. These cross-border phenomena expose victims to long-term harm and challenge traditional frameworks for cooperation. The seminar confirmed that an integrated response—bringing together government agencies, law enforcement, digital platforms, and specialized organizations—is now essential to identifying victims in a timely manner and effectively prosecuting perpetrators. Reducing response times, streamlining channels for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and harmonizing technical reporting standards are shared priorities for France and Thailand that will shape future cooperation efforts in pursuit of a common goal : protecting children everywhere and without delay.
