Harmonising Terminology to Strengthen Child Protection

The Universal Classification Schema

Developed through consultation with hotline analysts, law enforcement, industry, and legal experts, the Universal Classification Schema provides a structured vocabulary for describing visual material that may depict child sexual abuse. It translates jurisdiction-specific definitions into a shared set of categories that support cross-border cooperation, automation, and consistent classification. The Schema helps reduce analyst exposure, improve case triage, and support legal used in the detection and review of content. It is particularly focused on classification at the point of identification, enabling clearer communication between platforms, hotlines, and law enforcement agencies.

The ECPAT Terminology Guidelines

The Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, developed by ECPAT International and Interpol, offer guidance on how to talk about sexual violence involving children in a way that is respectful, legally sound, and child-centred. They recommend replacing outdated or inaccurate terms with ones that affirm the dignity and agency of children. These guidelines are widely used by international organisations, national governments, and advocacy groups, and are available in multiple languages. Their emphasis is on ensuring that language does not contribute to victim blaming or minimise harm.

The Interagency Classification for Violence Against Children (ICVAC)

The ICVAC was developed to promote alignment in how various forms of violence against children are defined and recorded across monitoring and reporting systems. Coordinated by a global group of child protection agencies and data experts, the classification is designed to support consistent data collection across sectors and countries. It helps track trends in violence, monitor progress toward child protection goals, and identify service needs. While the ICVAC is broader than the Schema or Terminology Guidelines, it plays a critical role in linking individual case data to national and global reporting systems.

Why Harmonisation Matters

Each of these tools was designed for a different but complementary purpose:

• The Schema focuses on content classification and system interoperability
• The Terminology Guidelines focus on child-centred language and communication
• The ICVAC focuses on standardising data for monitoring and accountability

When used together, they support a common goal: ensuring that responses to child sexual abuse are based on accurate, respectful, and shared understandings.


Harmonising terminology does more than improve technical alignment. It enables faster response, strengthens legal and policy frameworks, reduces re-traumatisation, and ensures that victims are seen and heard clearly across systems. As technology evolves and global coordination increases, these three resources offer a foundation for speaking the same language, and acting with the same purpose.