Closing legislative gaps around online child exploitation was one of many topics discussed at the fourth National Child Exploitation Legal Dialogue, held in Brisbane on 19 July 2022.
The event was held at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), and chaired by ACCCE and Human Exploitation Commander Hilda Sirec.
The dialogue provided a national platform to collaborate and exchange information, discuss trends, lessons-learned and opportunities for law reform as it relates to the current threat and emerging forms of online sexual exploitation of children.
The agenda covered a diverse range of topics, case studies and themes, including strategies for addressing the challenges faced by investigators in court proceedings; and closing legislative gaps around emerging forms of online sexual exploitation of children.
Commander Sirec thanked participants for their enduring commitment to child protection and reinforced the need to continually review our legal systems.
“It’s important our legislative reform and framework is purpose built; so we can continue to make a difference, not only to investigators, but ultimately to children and bringing perpetrators to account,” Commander Sirec said.
Participants attended both in person and online and represented the AFP, ACCCE, Department of Home Affairs, Attorney-General’s Department, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the eSafety Commissioner, National Office for Child Safety, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, New Zealand Police, and our state and territory law enforcement partners.