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July 2025, THE UNITED KINGDOM – Survivor leader Ruby* shared her story on ITV News in a powerful headline interview with news anchor Julie Etchingham.
“We are hugely in Ruby’s debt because of the courage that she had in speaking out.” – Julie Etchingham
At just 16 years old, Ruby was tricked by a false job offer and trapped in a situation of brutal exploitation. Her abuse was streamed live via video call for sex offenders in places like the UK to watch.
Ruby was unable to escape. She says, ‘those kind of memories haunted me for years.’
After two months, Ruby was brought to safety by IJM and the Philippine police and supported to achieve justice against her abusers. Today, she’s an international advocate for an end to this crime which continues to impact millions of children every year.
Shockingly, the UK is among the top three global consumers of livestreamed child abuse. But AI-driven technology exists that could help stop this abuse before it begins.
MP Jess Philipps, Safeguarding Minister, also featured in the ITV piece. She’s hopeful about the power of this technology, sharing, “We can’t wash our hands of this [problem]… What government in the world wouldn’t be interested in [this technology]?”
ITV’s Lucy Watson also recorded an episode of their briefing podcast ‘What You Need To Know’ with John Tanagho, IJM’s Global Director for the Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children, and Julie Etchingham.
The podcast covers the scale of the abuse in the Philippines, the hope posed by new technology, and some common questions about the technology that listeners may have.
John shared, “Technology exists that can detect and prevent livestreamed child abuse. We need tech that protects children to be mandated by the UK Government.”
“There is tremendous hope right now. We don’t have to live in a world where children are sexually abused and offenders are watching it live on their phones and laptops.”
Right now, IJM and people across the UK are calling on MPs to push for legislation that protects children.
*Pseudonym. Ruby’s face is obscured to protect her.
