We conducted in-depth research in to WCST, developed an effective solution, and proved that it works by going online to catching and identify predators. To catch them, we posed as Sweetie, using real-time video and text interaction to convince them to give us self-identifying information so we could trace their names and locations and create a social profile of each predator. We gave the evidence and identities of the 1,000 predators to Interpol, and distributed our campaign film on a designated YouTube channel. Then we started a petition on the online community Avaaz.org, calling on all governments to stop WCST.

Over 1 billion people saw the campaign. We proved that our solution is effective in stopping predators. Our petition has already gotten over half a million signatures and will be used in the coming months to pressure governments to do more. WCST is on the world agenda and governments are already taking action:

Police in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, and South Africa arrested predators based on evidence we collected. The Philippines Police announced that WCST is the country’s #1 crime. Argentina increased penalties for perpetrators of WCST. Dozens of children have been rescued in the Philippines.

Webcam Child Sex Tourism (WCST) is a new phenomenon that’s spreading like an epidemic: Men from rich countries pay children in poor countries to perform sexual acts in front of webcams. Terre des Hommes works to rescue victims, but there are too many. To raise international awareness and pressure governments to act, we found a revolutionary solution based on our own in-depth research into WCST.

Insight: We found that these crimes happen tens of thousands of times a day, but only 6 men have ever been convicted because child victims don't report them.

Our solution: Police must actively patrol the websites where WCST happens.

Idea: To prove our point, we set an online trap to catch child predators. We created "Sweetie," an interactive 3D model that looks and moves like a 10-year-old Filipino girl. Then we went online and caught 1,000 predators in the act. Sweetie instantly became world news.