By East Asia reporter Clare Arthurs

After years of concern about child pornography on the internet, child welfare workers across the world are co-operating against abusers through a new computer-based initiative.

An internet website has been launched in London by government officials of Britain and the Philippines.

The website is a resource centre which draws together child welfare policies and workers from around the world to encourage greater co-operation against offenders.

It has been set up through the Asia Europe Meeting (Asem), which brings together 10 Asian countries and members of the European Union.

Exploitation

The new website is designed for people working to stop trafficking in children, child pornography and exploitation.

They are attempting to turn the tables on child pornographers on the internet, using the web to strengthen international efforts to fight criminals.

The site, the Asem Resource Centre, details child protection laws in Asem countries and projects to combat child abuse.

It also lists contacts for legal agencies and health services.

There will also be a discussion forum - a chat room - to encourage professionals to share their experiences and develop joint campaigns.

Sharing expertise

The site was requested by child welfare experts and if it works, sharing their expertise could lead to more successful prosecutions.

The resource centre is based in Scotland at the Centre for Europe's Children.

Dr Andy Bilson says its uses will go beyond fighting paedophiles who use the world wide web.

"Whilst internet pornography is one aspect of the Asem initiative, we have a much stronger focus on the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

"This includes such things as sex tourism, prostitution within countries, but also the sexual exploitation of children within families.

"This is clearly a much broader target we are looking at.