The AFP is encouraging the public to listen to the award-winning Closing The Net podcast series during National Child Protection Week to learn how to protect children from online sexual exploitation.
National Child Protection Week starts today (Sunday, 4 September 2022) and is held annually across Australia to raise awareness of child abuse prevention and all issues connected with child protection.
With the prevalence of children and young people accessing the internet, online safety is becoming an increasing concern around the world. The need for the community to be alive to the risks that may be facing our children, and prevent online child sexual exploitation is as important than ever.
Research conducted by the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. The AFP are working hard to change that by creating resources for parents, carers and teachers to showcase that knowledge is power with this crime type.
Closing The Net was launched in 2021 and continues to be recognised for its innovative and compelling content. It has just won the Branded Podcast of the Year category at the annual Radio Today Podcast Awards of 2022.
The 12-part series highlights how quickly online predators can groom children. The series was produced in response to an increase in reports of online child sexual exploitation to the ACCCE.
AFP Commander ACCCE and Human Exploitation Hilda Sirec said the podcast contained content that was, at times, uncomfortable to hear but that needed to be told.
“The podcast gives listeners an insight and understanding into what constitutes online sexual exploitation and just how easily children can be targeted by anyone, from anywhere,” Commander Sirec said.
“Protecting children from sexual exploitation is a whole of community responsibility and I encourage those who haven’t yet come across the podcast to give it a listen, especially as we mark National Child Protection Week this week.
“We are honoured to have received an award at the annual Radio Today Podcast Awards, as it shows there is interest from the community in this area of work, and is hopefully encouraging parents, caregivers and teachers to better protect their children and loved ones online.”
The series includes compelling insights from more than 55 child protection experts across law enforcement, government, academia and non-government organisations. The podcast is regarded as a valuable resource for information and guidance on online child sexual exploitation.
The Radio Today Podcast Awards recognise the most innovative individuals and organisations in podcasting from across the Australian media and marketing landscape. The Branded Podcast of the Year category recognises the most creative and effective use of a podcast by a brand, agency or organisation.
Closing The Net has also been recognised in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, and shortlisted for an award in the Australian Podcasting Awards.
Closing The Net is available on all major podcast platforms.
The ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.
The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit to learn more www.accce.gov.au/support
Additional advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation: www.thinkuknow.org.au
Parents and carers can also find an extensive range of information and support to help them keep children safe online at www.esafety.gov.au/parents
