During these difficult times of social distancing and self-quarantine, there has been a dramatic increase in online activities by children, and a heightened concern for their safety by parents/guardians, educators, and child protection professionals. Kids and teens are unable to go to school, participate in sports or other activities, or hang out with their friends, and instead spend many hours in the online world. This webinar provides ICAC members and other child protection professionals with tools and resources to help parents/guardians and others create a safer environment for all children.

Sexual violence in cyberspace can take on a variety of concrete, yet overlapping forms. “Revenge Porn”, or non-consensual sharing of private images, sextortion, misuse of teen sexting and child pornography are some of the most obvious examples. As these problems have increased in scope in recent years, so too has the interest of the media and legislators around the country. The number of states that have passed new or updated laws criminalizing such behavior has exploded. As these new laws go into effect, investigators and prosecutors need to understand what types of behavior are covered by the laws, how to present them to Judges and juries, and the likely constitutional challenges that will be faced.

Sexual violence in cyberspace continues to plague the health and well-being of millions of children and adolescents worldwide. This presentation will review the numerous types of crimes against children mediated by information and communication technology. Participants will learn numerous aspects of victimization and why the long-term outcome for these victims is so much worse that when there is child sexual abuse without visual memorialization. The number of states that have passed new or updated laws criminalizing such behavior has exploded. As these new laws come into effect, investigators and prosecutors need to understand what types of behavior are covered by the laws, how to present them to Judges and juries, and the likely constitutional challenges that will be faced.