A podcast educating the community about online child sexual exploitation has been nominated for Best Documentary Podcast in the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards.
Closing the Net, created by the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), was a 10-part series launched in June 2021 by Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews. It highlighted how quickly children could be groomed by online predators.
Narrated by father and Australian actor Rodger Corser, who appeared in Underbelly and Doctor Doctor, the episodes also contained valuable tips and advice from the AFP-led ThinkUKnow program, which delivers community presentations and online resources to raise awareness of online child sexual exploitation.
Research commissioned by the ACCCE shows about half of parents talk to their children about online safety, 51 per cent of parents don’t know what to do to keep their kids safe online and just three per cent of parents were concerned about online grooming.
The series was produced in response to an increase in reports of online child sexual exploitation. While Closing The Net is at times uncomfortable to hear, the AFP is encouraging parents, caregivers and teachers to listen to the podcast in a bid to better protect their children and loved ones.
The podcast provides the Australian community with an understanding of what constitutes online child sexual exploitation and just how easily children can be targeted by any person from anywhere in the world.
It also reveals how to identify and report offensive online behaviour.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Northern Command Lesa Gale said the podcast series was an important step in raising awareness and educating the community on this insidious crime.
“When communities, parents and law enforcement work together it is easier to keep children safe, Assistant Commissioner Gale said.
“We need to educate ourselves about what online child exploitation is, how easy and quickly it can occur and how to identify and report offensive online behaviour.
“We all have a role to play in the protection of children and I implore everyone to listen and take action.
“The nomination for best documentary podcast at these awards undoubtedly displays the interest from the community in the work of the ACCCE, but also reiterates the need for prevention and education resources, just like this one, so parents and carers can keep their children safe online.”
The AFP-led ThinkUKnow Program forms an important part of the podcast. As Australia’s only national law enforcement-led online child safety program, ThinkUKnow delivers community presentations and online resources to raise awareness of online child sexual exploitation.
The evidence-based program was delivered 2251 times to more than 200,000 participants in the past financial year addressing issues including self-generated material, online grooming, image-based abuse and sexual extortion in a way that children, young people, parents and carers can understand and act on.
With 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 within the child protection sector.
Closing The Net is available from all major podcast platforms.
If you know of a child that is being contacted inappropriately or groomed by an adult online, or have been effected by online child sexual exploitation visit www.accce.gov.au
Episode guide
Hiding In Plain Sight – Stopping online child sex offenders and protecting children from harm is what drives the women and men of the ACCCE.
What You Don’t Know May Hurt You – It’s now easier than ever for our children and young people to receive inappropriate contact via online devices, apps and games.
I’m Just A Kid – Not all online child sex offenders are adults. Sexual exploitation by peers and image based abuse are rife issues in the technology and platforms we use every day.
Offensive Behaviour – What motivates an online child sex offender and how can law enforcement use that information to help protect our kids?
Turning Grief Into Hope – Some families are torn apart by the death of a child. Others are galvanized by it and turn their grief into hope for others.
Knowledge Is Power – Knowing more about technology and about what is and isn’t appropriate online is critical to protecting our kids online.
Prevent, Prepare, Pursue and Protect – Go inside the ACCCE with those who work tirelessly to protect children from harm and bring child sex offenders to justice.
The Good Fight – If a child discloses online abuse to you, how should you support them and where should you go to report the abuse?
The Borderless Crime – Bringing an end to online child exploitation requires a collaborative international response and Australia is leading the charge.
Target Zero – Australia’s law enforcement agencies are working to stay one step ahead of online offenders and ultimately wipe them out.
See Say Do – focuses on what children are seeing and doing online.
Time to Talk – breaks down some of the myths about online child sexual exploitation but explains how easily it can happen.
