LYON, France: On the UN International Day of Police Cooperation, observed on September 7, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza highlighted the vital importance of international police cooperation in combating child sexual exploitation and protecting vulnerable communities worldwide.
INTERPOL’s International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database has played a crucial role in identifying 65,181 child victims and 26,840 offenders across 75 countries since its launch in 2011. As of July 31, 2026, nearly 5,800 child victims had been identified during 2026 alone.
Under this year’s theme, “Protecting against Vulnerability – Building Trust and Legitimacy in Policing,” the international law enforcement community is emphasizing the importance of preventing harm, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.
Crimes such as child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, cybercrime and organized crime frequently cross-national borders, making rapid information sharing and coordinated investigations essential. Through its network of 196 member countries, INTERPOL enables police agencies to exchange critical information that can assist in identifying victims, locating missing persons, apprehending offenders and preventing further abuse.
Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stressed that protecting vulnerable people requires effective cross-border cooperation, ensuring that national borders do not become barriers to protection or justice.
The initiative highlights the crucial role of international policing in protecting children, disrupting criminal networks, supporting victims and strengthening public trust in law enforcement worldwide.
