The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have released two new episodes of the Closing The Net podcast series, highlighting the importance of education and awareness in online child sexual exploitation.
Produced by the AFP’s Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and narrated by actress and mother, Caroline Craig, the new episodes offer valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online.
In episode One, See Say Do, the focus is 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.
The second episode, 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 sent the image, the offender asked for more. When she refused, the image was sent to her school friends via Snapchat.
Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews said more resources for parents, families, and care givers empowered those groups to protect children and recognise the signs of exploitation and abuse.
“We can’t be complacent — child abuse and sexual exploitation is occurring in Australia,” Mrs Andrews said.
“The Government and the AFP are serious about cracking down on this despicable crime, but understanding the threat and starting a conversation with children is just as important.”
Launched in June, the 10-part Closing The Net series provides listeners with rare behind-the-scenes access to the women and men who work tirelessly to end the exploitation of children.
It is available on all major podcast platforms.
