Report on the 17th Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF17) Operation

Executive Summary

An international operation, the 17th Victim Identification Task Force (VIDTF17), was conducted at Europol’s headquarters from 8 to 19 September 2025. The initiative brought together experts from 22 countries, Europol, and INTERPOL to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE). The operation resulted in the identification of 51 child victims and the generation of 213 investigative leads. This report details the operation’s outcomes and its direct contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Operational Details and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Mission and International Collaboration: Advancing SDG 17

The primary mission of the task force was to analyse images of unidentified abused children to identify and safeguard them. This collaborative effort is a clear embodiment of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which promotes strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development.

• Participants: 27 experts from Europol, INTERPOL, and 22 countries worldwide.
• Venue: Europol’s headquarters, The Hague.
• Duration: Two weeks (8-19 September 2025).

Data Analysis and Scope

The experts analysed over 300 datasets depicting victims of CSE. The analysis confirmed the global and indiscriminate nature of this crime, affecting children of all backgrounds, which underscores the universal importance of the SDGs.

• Victim Demographics: Victims included both genders, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, with diverse ethnic and national backgrounds. This highlights the need to address SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by eliminating all forms of violence against children, regardless of gender, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by protecting the most vulnerable members of society.

Outcomes and Direct Contributions to SDG Targets

Key Achievements: A Direct Impact on SDG 16.2

The operational outcomes represent a significant step towards achieving specific targets within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The primary contribution is towards SDG Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

1. Victims Identified: A total of 51 sexually abused children were successfully identified, enabling safeguarding and support measures.
2. Investigative Leads Generated: National authorities received 213 leads for further investigation, facilitating the pursuit of justice against perpetrators.

Strengthening Global Justice and Institutions

This task force strengthens the framework for global justice and institutional capacity, directly supporting multiple facets of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

• Promoting Rule of Law (Target 16.3): By generating actionable leads, the operation helps ensure equal access to justice and holds perpetrators accountable.
• Enhancing International Cooperation (Target 16.a): The operation serves as a model for strengthening international cooperation to combat transnational crime.
• Protecting Fundamental Well-being (SDG 3): By rescuing children from abuse, the initiative contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article is fundamentally about law enforcement and international cooperation to combat a major crime—child sexual exploitation. This directly aligns with the goal of promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies. The task force described is an example of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to protect the vulnerable, specifically children, from violence and exploitation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

   The article’s entire focus is on an operation designed to combat child sexual exploitation. The “Victim Identification Task Force” and its success in identifying “51 sexually abused children” is a direct operational effort to achieve this target by actively working to end the abuse and exploitation of children.

2. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.

   The operation is a clear example of international cooperation. The article states that “27 experts from Europol, INTERPOL and 22 countries worldwide worked shoulder to shoulder.” This collaboration strengthens the capacity of national authorities, to whom “213 leads for further investigation” were sent, enabling them to more effectively combat this transnational crime.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation.

   The article provides raw data that feeds directly into this indicator. It specifies the number of victims identified (“51 sexually abused children”) and provides demographic details, noting victims were of “both genders, from toddlers to teenagers.” The form of exploitation is explicitly “child sexual exploitation.” This data is essential for measuring the prevalence of this crime and progress in combating it.

2. Implied Indicator: Number of joint international operations and investigative leads shared to combat transnational crime.

   While not an official UN indicator, the article implies a way to measure progress towards Target 16.a. The text provides concrete metrics of successful international cooperation, including the participation of “22 countries” in a single task force and the generation of “213 leads” for national authorities. These figures serve as practical measures of the strength and effectiveness of international institutional collaboration against crime.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: europol.europa.eu