Often, these photos end up in so-called expose groups where the victims are identified, resulting in verbal abuse, threats and even harassment. Probably a very underestimated number as most victims remain silent as they feel ashamed or are too scared to speak up.

At the same time, three Belgian universities conducted a big survey and found out that from 1 in 4 children, aged between 15 and 25, a nude has been shared without their consent.

November 18th is The European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. On this day, Child Focus wanted to launch a campaign to raise awareness on this issue and initiate real change.

We created a unique and audio-centric idea that did both, at once.

We started from Glenn’s story. When he was 15 years old, he made one nude with his phone. But when this photo ended up online, Glenn took his own life. Child Focus reactivated the same phone that once destroyed his life to protect other minors against transgressive sexting and exposing. The same phone, the same number, but a different voicemail message.

Together with Glenn’s provider, OrangeÔ, we turned his voicemail into a message for change. It started with Glenn saying his own name, like typical voicemail messages in Belgium. Instead of saying he is not available, the official voicemail voice said he is no longer available, before explaining what happened to him.

Then, the voicemail invited people to leave their name after the tone and sign a petition for a better online protection of minors. The audio petition was a first in its kind as people were asked to “sign” it with their voice, instead of their signature.

Six years after his death, Glenn’s mom was the first person to call him again and sign the petition. An integrated campaign called upon the rest of the nation to do the same. And the nation responded. In just one day, more than 25,000 people left their name on Glenn’s voicemail, already surpassing the required number to be heard in Belgian parliament.

As Glenn’s phone kept ringing, also the media heard our call and online safety of minors became the country’s number one topic. It even got the Prime Minister’s attention as he invited Glenn’s mom and Child Focus to his office. During their visit, they showed him Glenn’s phone and its 37,758 missed calls.

And he got the message. Just one week later, this led to a new resolution where all four demands of Child Focus were proposed. A resolution that was later approved in parliament. Unanimously. This resulted in Belgium’s first commissioner dedicated to children’s online safety.