Foreword Commander Sirec
It’s time to talk
We need to talk. It’s about child sexual exploitation. It’s not a comfortable conversation, but it’s one that we all need to have with our family, with our friends, and with our community.
Along with the latest news from the ACCCE and our partners, this edition of the ACCCE newsletter has a strong theme of bringing child sexual abuse and online exploitation out from the shadows. Through conversation and through action.
Earlier this month we observed National Child Protection Week (NCPW) and launched several initiatives with the aim of driving community awareness and powering dialogue.
On 1 September, the ACCCE launched four new images as part of the ‘Stop Child Abuse - Trace an Object’ initiative. In a partnership with Suncorp Stadium and the NRL, these images will be shown on the big screens during the football finals in the hope that more eyes will mean more leads.
On 2 September, in partnership with the AFP and leading non-government organisations, the ACCCE launched the Stop the Stigma campaign. The first campaign of its kind, Stop the Stigma encourages all of us to break the stigma associated with child sexual abuse.
During NCPW, the ACCCE released two new episodes of the compelling Closing The Net podcast series. Narrated by Caroline Craig, these episodes fittingly focus on encouraging conversation and the importance of education and awareness regarding online child sexual exploitation.
As the ACCCE’s support for The Children in the Pictures film continues to grow, I encourage you to tune into the TV premiere on 24 October on SBS. We are proud of some of our very own members who feature in the film and I thank them for their relentless determination to bring the issue of online child sexual exploitation to the fore and importantly, help identify and remove children from harm.
In legislation news, the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 (SLAID Bill) was passed by Parliament in August. This bill will significantly enhance how the AFP investigates serious cyber-enabled crime.
In staffing news, since our last edition we have farewelled some of our members whilst welcoming others. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Detective Superintendent Paula Hudson for her contribution to the ACCCE, Child Protection and Human Trafficking and wish her all the best in her new role as Commander Forensics. In this vein I welcome Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling to the ACCCE. Jayne brings with her extensive experience in victim based crime and prevention having played an integral role in the establishment of the ThinkUKnow program.
We say an official farewell and congratulations to Brooke Jones who has accepted a permanent role as Coordinator Corporate Communications, AFP.
Congratulations are also in order for our Coordinator Business Implementation Rosie Garland who welcomed baby Liliana in June. We wish Rosie all the best during this special time.
As we celebrate three years of the ACCCE and edge closer to the end of 2021, I would like to thank all of our ACCCE members and partners once again for their resilience and commitment. It has been a challenging time for many in light of lockdowns and restrictions but your work is greatly valued!
Please take care of each other,
Hilda
Feature articles
Stop the Stigma campaign
On 2 September, the Minister for Home Affairs the Hon Karen Andrews MP launched Australia’s first ever campaign that urges Australians to open the discussion about child sexual exploitation.
The ground breaking Stop the Stigma campaign is a partnership between the AFP, the ACCCE and leading non-government organisations including 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, The Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Carly Ryan Foundation, Bravehearts, YourTown (Kid’s Helpline) and Act for Kids. It’s designed to break down the public stigma many feel around the topic of child sexual exploitation.
The campaign features a powerful awareness video which leads viewers to a dedicated space on the ACCCE website; detailing how to report, what to do if someone discloses to you and how to get support. It also highlights the true and brave stories from child sexual abuse survivors, affected parents and carers, a police officer and a psychologist involved in preventing and supporting child sexual abuse. In just two weeks the video has reached more than 485,000 people and shared more than 740 times. For those members of the community who speak a language other than English, the video is also available with subtitles in language.
The campaign has received extensive media coverage, various TV appearances and was a key topic of discussion on respected current affairs program, Q&A between Grace Tame and Mr Reece P Kershaw, APM, Commissioner AFP on. In addition to this, the ACCCE partnered with UBER Australia who used their platform to promote the campaign to more than 4.7 million Australians.
Discussion about child sexual exploitation is uncomfortable but we need to Stop the Stigma if we are going to prevent this abhorrent crime.
View the video and find out more at www.accce.gov.au/stopthestigma
Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object. New objects released
Just prior to NCPW, the ACCCE released four new images as part of the Stop Child Abuse - Trace an Object initiative demonstrating our ongoing commitment to freeing children from exploitation.
It asks members of the community to identify objects extracted from the backgrounds of sexually explicit material involving children to help law enforcement identify the victim and offender. The new objects; a chest of drawers, a cushion, a logo and a rug can be viewed on the ACCCE website. Our investigators pleading for information on their origin or location.
The new images were released in partnership with Suncorp Stadium who supported the initiative through football finals season by showcasing the objects on the big screens. The objects were also featured on the LED screen on Caxton Street in Brisbane.
Since the initial launch earlier this year, the dedicated webpage has been viewed more than 75,500 times resulting in more than 635 reports sent to our Victim Identification Unit.
Thanks to some extremely helpful tips in these reports, three investigations have narrowed in on leads and vendors of the specific objects are currently assisting with investigations. In addition to this, even more reports of child sexual abuse un-related to the images have been submitted to the ACCCE.
The fight is not over and we still need your help, we encourage you to spread the word, view and share these images within the community.
The smallest clue may help save a child and remove them from a lifetime of abuse. To view the images visit www.accce.gov.au/trace and to support the initiative, follow the ACCCE on Facebook and Twitter.
Closing The Net Season Two – The episodes parents and carers need to listen to
During NCPW, the ACCCE released two new episodes in Season Two of the compelling Closing The Net podcast to highlight the importance of education and awareness in online child sexual exploitation.
Narrated by Australian actress and mother, Caroline Craig, who appeared in Blue Heelers and Underbelly, these new episodes offer valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online.
Alongside parents, teachers, and industry experts, the episodes also contain valuable tips and advice from the AFP-led ThinkUKnow Program - Australia’s only national law enforcement-led online child safety program that delivers community presentations and online resources to raise awareness of online child sexual exploitation.
The podcast has been downloaded more than 60,000 times since its release in July, and trended number one on Australian documentary podcasts of all time.
Episode 1 – See Say Do focuses on what children are seeing and doing online. The episode speaks with the people behind the AFP-led ThinkUKnow online safety program, including volunteers who have been presenting for more than 10 years. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, Microsoft’s Phil Myer and Maria Bennett from Neighbourhood Watch are among those featured. A parent discusses what he learned after listening to season one of Closing The Net, and how it gave him and his wife tips on how to speak with their kids about online dangers.
Episode 2 – Time to Talk breaks down some of the myths about online child sexual exploitation but explains how easily it can happen. It includes a case study of 13-year-old girl who sent naked images of herself to someone she didn’t know on Snapchat. The mother tells the podcast she was reluctant to allow her daughter on social media but relented because her daughter’s friends were on the platform. When her daughter exchanged the image, the offender asked for more. When she refused, the image was sent to her school friends via snapchat.
Closing The Net is available now on all major podcast platforms.
ACCCE engagement
National Child Protection Week
Held from 5-11 September to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect, the ACCCE and AFP were proud to support NAPCAN’s NCPW through a number of activities and initiatives.
With much of the nation being in lockdown, many of our members got involved through NAPCAN’s virtual events including webinars, training and by accessing helpful online resources.
This year’s theme focused on the ‘bigger picture’ in addressing child abuse and neglect: Every child, in every community, needs a fair go. To treat all of Australia’s children fairly, we need to make sure every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy.
The ACCCE embraced this theme through the successful launch of the Stop the Stigma campaign, the Stop Child abuse – Trace an Object initiative and release of new episodes from the Closing the Net podcast. Each of which seeks to engage with the broader community to prevent the online exploitation of children.
Other activities undertaken during NCPW include:
- ThinkUKnow Social Media series shining a light on the state and territory police presenters who deliver incredibly valuable educational sessions to schools around Australia emphasizing the importance of being safe online.
- Promotion of White Balloon Day – As Bravehearts’ White Balloon Day celebrates 25 years, many of the ACCCE executive wore white and hosted a large morning tea to raise funds for child protection.
COVID lockdowns and online child sexual exploitation
In partnership with ThinkUKnow, the ACCCE has released advice for parents and carers on how to keep their children safe from online child sexual exploitation during COVID lockdowns.
This is timely as Australian victim identification specialists note a fast growing trend that sees young children being targeted and coerced into performing live-streamed sexual acts by online offenders, who often record and share the videos and go on to extort victims into producing even more graphic content.
This trend is known as ‘capping’ (from capturing) and has been seen across all social media and video streaming platforms.
There are simple things parents and carers can do to manage risks and ensure their child's safety. The Covid lockdown: What you need to know to keep your child safe from online child sexual exploitation outlines practical advice and what to do if a parent or carer thinks their child, or a child they know, could be a victim of online child sexual exploitation.
The Children in the Pictures
Throughout September the explosive new documentary The Children in the Pictures premiered around Australia with further screenings and its national TV debut on 24 October on SBS.
The documentary takes audiences inside the Queensland Police Service’s Taskforce Argos for a behind the scenes insight into how investigators go about removing children from the abhorrent crime of online child sexual exploitation. It also explores how Big Tech platforms such as Facebook and Google have allowed themselves to become havens for offenders, prioritising privacy over child safety.
Viewers might spot some familiar faces with the ACCCE’s very own Detective Inspector Jon Rouse and Warren Bulmer taking centre stage.
Dendy’s premier screening on 19 September in Brisbane, saw detective Inspector Jon Rouse, Commander Hilda Sirec and Paul Griffiths took part in a Q&A after the film to encourage a national dialogue about online child sexual exploitation.
The Children in the Pictures is a must watch for every member of our community.
World Congress - Through the eyes of a child
From 12-16 July 2021, the AFP was proud to support the 8th Family Law and Children’s Rights Conference: World Congress 2021.
Although the conference was held virtually, it did not dampen the spirit of the event nor the enthusiasm showed by participants. The pre-recorded panel discussions and presentations brought together experts from across a myriad of sectors with a common interest in how we can protect those most vulnerable in our community – children and young people.
Many of our ACCCE members featured in the series of five sessions sponsored by the AFP, focusing on the various aspects of online child sexual exploitation.
As demonstrated by the response of participants and audiences alike, the event was a great success and highlights the global commitment and collaborative efforts of those within the child protection sector to fight for the rights of children and keep them safe from harm.
Those interested can still register for access to each of the conference sessions for a further 12 months. Visit the World Congress site for more information.
Partner News
White Balloon Day
On Friday 10 September as part of NCPW, Bravehearts celebrated its annual White Balloon Day event. Now in its 25th year, White Balloon Day raises awareness about the crime of child sexual assault and speaks up for survivors.
Bravehearts and their supporters did an amazing job in making it their most successful event to date, raising more than $200,000 for the prevention of child sexual abuse. Well done Bravehearts!
Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson
Another key event on the NCPW calendar, Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson is run by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and seeks to teach children about how to recognise, react and report unsafe situations, particularly when online.
On Tuesday 7 September, the evidence-based lesson was live-streamed to more than 248,000 children across Australia where they learnt personal safety concepts in a fun and interactive way.
Those interested can still access the resources from this year’s event as well as previous years at www.danielmorcombe.com.au
Act for Kids Research results on consent
In the month of August, Act for Kids carried out valuable research of more than 2,000 Australians into their attitudes towards teaching consent and children's bodily autonomy, with some of the results proving alarming and demonstrating a lack of knowledge around the subject.
The research tied into the theme of National Child Protection Week who strongly believe that every child deserves a fair go to protect their body. The research will help to answer the much asked question of when and how to tackle the conversation of consent and bodily autonomy with children.
The research found that:
- The majority of Australian adults (55%) believe it is only appropriate to start teaching children about consent and their body after school age, leaving children aged 0 – 4 vulnerable to sexual abuse.
- Less than half of Australian parents, carers and grandparents (44%) have been open with their kids about consent and their body, despite 89% of adults saying it is the parents’ responsibility.
- 69% of respondents believe adults shouldn’t ask children for permission before touching them.
- More than a third of parents (36%) with children under the age of 18 doubt if their child understands what consent means.
- Only 29% of parents, carers & grandparents say the words vagina & penis are normal in their child’s vocabulary
Act for Kids is encouraging parents to talk to their kids about consent from a young age and are advocating for improved education for parents and mandated protective behaviours programs in schools to help keep Australia’s future generations safe.
Neighbourhood Watch Australasia
Neighbourhood Watch Week.
Neighbourhood Watch Week is fast approaching, this year from 8-14 November, Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) groups around Australia and Neighbourhood Support groups in New Zealand are partnering with Bunnings for Crime Prevention Week to bring you this special event.
Local NHW groups will be running programmes and events to raise awareness about how to prevent crime, stop social isolation, and increasing the safety, security and quality of life for the community as a whole. It also aims to educate on the benefits of being part of your local NHW group and encourages participation from everyone in the community.
Previous events held during NHW Week have included sausage sizzles, trivia quizzes, and meet and greets. You can get in touch with your local NHW group to find out what events are planned in your area, and how you can participate.
For more information, talk to your local NHW group, or visit
https://www.nhwa.com.au/news-media/nhw-week/ or
https://www.nhwa.com.au/contact/
Secure Score
Neighbourhood Watch Australasia and Crimsafe is proud to jointly release their new tool ‘Secure Score’, a home security auditing tool which rates the safety of your home by answering a few simple questions about current and existing security features of your home. When the Secure Score is calculated, it provides the user with an action plan on how they can improve their home security by taking action for their home, yard, and street security. Secure Score was developed in response to the increased time we spend in our homes, particularly during lockdown, and the ongoing demand for safer homes around Australia.
Crimsafe CEO Jim Sturgess says “This is an opportunity for Australian families to take control of their home security at a time when our homes are more valued and important than ever“.
Neighbourhood Watch Australasia CEO Maria Bennett says “The Secure Score free tool is easy to use and will make a real impact through increasing education around home security and ultimately helping to reduce crime in local neighbourhoods.”
You can find your home Secure Score by completing the quiz at https://securescore.crimsafe.com.au/
ACCCE news
ACCCE Three Year Anniversary
Established on 3 September 2018, the ACCCE marks three years of working with its partners from Government, Commonwealth and law enforcement agencies, non-government organisations, academic and industry to achieve the vision of all children free from online exploitation.
Thanks to the dedicated staff working tirelessly at the ACCCE, the last three years has seen some incredible operational achievements with more than 60,000 incoming reports, assisted with 470 AFP arrests with more than 4,300 charges laid and the removal of 438 children from harm both within Australia and internationally.
Operation MOLTO which stemmed from an ACCCE law enforcement report, is now one of the AFPs most successful child abuse prevention operations with more than 100 offenders charged, 888 offences and 30 children removed from harm nationwide.
Alongside these operational achievements, many public initiatives have been launched this year to raise awareness, encourage discussions within the community and help our operational teams with their investigations. These include Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object, Stop the Stigma and Closing the Net.
In addition to these remarkable achievements, the last year has seen the official opening of the ACCCE facility in Fortitude Valley Brisbane, the launch of a brand new website, hosting of the first Victim Identification Taskforce in the Southern Hemisphere, the fourth Prevention Stakeholder Workshop being held and the attendance and support of key stakeholder events and initiatives – just to name a few. It’s been a very busy 12 months.
Resources in language
Keep an eye out for resources across the ACCCE website that will soon be available in language in an effort to provide accurate and meaningful advice and support for our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse audiences.
ThinkUKnow has translated a suite of factsheets in multiple languages which can be accessed via the ThinkUKnow website.
Face of the ACCCE: Trent Pollard
Tell us about your role in the ACCCE
I have been very fortunate to work in the Strategic Engagement team for two years working on Social Media & Digital content. We’ve been a part of some incredibly important initiatives including Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object, the Closing The Net podcast, Stop the Stigma, development of the new ACCCE website, NCPW, prevention messaging and COVID response messaging.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
We’ve seen tremendous growth in awareness and conversation about the crime type.
Lots of committed organisations have been doing this for so long – hopefully we’re raising the profile of the crime type and allowing their work to have maximum impact.
What skills are you eager to contribute to the ACCCE?
Making impactful and meaningful content.
What would you like to achieve in the next 12 months within ACCCE?
Exactly what we’ve been doing – raise the profile of OCSE and help people better understand some of the definitions and misconceptions around it.
Who do you look up to?
Hamish Blake – a successful guy who I think is secretly extremely switched on, a family man first and foremost, and I believe he’s the funniest man in Australia.
If you weren't working in Child Protection, what would you be doing instead?
Sad to think about because this is a dream job. Sports, journalism, social media and production perhaps.
If you could invite one person to work at the ACCCE who would it be?
Simon Sinek – eternal optimist.
Favourite song, book or movie—and why?
Harry Potter series – audio book by Stephen Fry.
Words of advice for people concerned about online child exploitation?
Be aware of the resources available, and know where and what to report (essentially just follow the ACCCE). There are so many great organisations and agencies working to help families, if you have a good understanding of the crime type, the various definitions and misconceptions, and know where to go if something happens, then you’ll be alright.
Upcoming events
October
| 23-31 October | Children's Week |
| 23 October | Anniversary of ACCCE building opening |
| 24 October | The Children in the Pictures premiere on SBS |
| 29 October | Day for Daniel and Walk for Daniel |
November
| 20 November | UN World Children's Day |
| 20 November | White Ribbon Day |