How Governments Can Use the Universal Classification Schema

The Schema helps bridge legal differences by providing a harmonised framework that translates diverse legal definitions into a shared structure. This allows authorities to compare, report, and respond to CSAM cases more effectively, regardless of jurisdiction. For policymakers and legislators, the Schema offers a robust reference point when drafting or reforming national child protection laws. It also aligns with key international instruments, including the proposed EU Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, the Lanzarote Convention, and the Digital Services Act.

By referencing the Schema in national strategies and policy frameworks, governments can support more consistent enforcement, improve cross-border collaboration, and ensure that national systems are better equipped to recognise and respond to emerging forms of abuse. It also strengthens monitoring and evaluation by enabling the collection of comparable data, supporting the design of evidence-based interventions, and improving visibility into the scope and nature of the problem.

Governments can also benefit from the Schema through capacity building. National law enforcement agencies, digital forensics teams, and prosecutors can participate in Schema training programmes, allowing them to classify material consistently, communicate more clearly with international partners, and reduce reliance on ambiguous or outdated terminology.


In short, the Schema helps governments move from fragmented definitions to a shared foundation: one that improves both the clarity and effectiveness of national and international child protection systems.