Local and international child protection experts and technology leaders are gathering on the Gold Coast this week to discuss the prevention of online child exploitation.
Hosted by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) , the experts are attending the annual Youth, Technology and Virtual Communities (YTVC) conference at Bond University.
QPS Crime and Intelligence Command Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said the focus for this year’s conference was Technology: Threats and Opportunities and looked at technology-facilitated crimes against children, online child exploitation, impacts of social media and the role of technology in safeguarding children from harm.
Assistant Commissioner Connors said the conference would be attended by more than 460 national and international specialists and practitioners from law enforcement, prosecution, academia and child advocacy and protective service groups.
He said members of the QPS would share their own case studies and experiences within their respective fields.
“Over three days attendees will explore a range of topics and hear from a range of respected speakers including law enforcement representatives from INTERPOL, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and The United States of America, as well as expert psychologists, researchers and frontline practitioners from across the world who specialise in research and treatment relating to online child exploitation.”
Assistant Commissioner Connors said the QPS was committed to protecting children and making those who commit horrific crimes accountable for their actions.
“The YTVC conference comes at a time when technology-facilitated crimes against children are on the rise, posing new challenges for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and child protection organisations,” he said.
“By bringing together experts from across the globe, who are unified in their commitment to protecting our children, we are finding innovative solutions that will enhance our collective efforts to prevent, disrupt, and prosecute those who commit the most sickening crimes imaginable.”
