Law enforcement agencies, child protection experts, and technology leaders from across the globe are set to gather at the ninth annual Youth, Technology and Virtual Communities (YTVC) conference hosted by Argos, Crime and Intelligence Command at Bond University today.
The specific theme for this year's conference is 'Technology: Threats and Opportunities', focusing on technology-facilitated crimes against children, online child exploitation, impacts of social media and the role of technology in safeguarding children from harm.
The conference will be attended by more than 460 national and international specialists and practitioners from law enforcement, prosecution, academia and child advocacy and protective service groups. Members of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) will share their own case studies and experiences within their respective fields.
Over the next three days attendees will explore a range of topics and hear from a range of respected speakers including law enforcement representatives from INTERPOL, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and The United States of America, as well as expert psychologists, researchers and frontline practitioners from across the world who specialise in research and treatment relating to online child exploitation.
Crime and Intelligence Command Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors said the QPS is committed to doing everything we can to protect our children and make those who commit these horrific crimes accountable for their actions.
"The YTVC conference comes at a time when technology-facilitated crimes against children are on the rise, posing new challenges for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and child protection organisations," Assistant Commissioner Connors said.
"By bringing together experts from across the globe, who are unified in their commitment to protecting our children, we are finding innovative solutions that will enhance our collective efforts to prevent, disrupt, and prosecute those who commit the most sickening crimes imaginable.
"The work carried out by QPS, child advocacy groups, non-government organisations and social workers is to be commended and I thank you all for your dedication and determination in the fight against crimes targeting children."
