Fiji recently completed a two-day training course that significantly enhanced its police officers’ abilities to guard against online child exploitation and abuse. The “Swipe Safe Child Protection Professionals Training,” organized by the Online Safety Commission (OSC) in collaboration with ChildFund Australia and UNICEF, equipped participants with vital knowledge regarding legal frameworks, investigative techniques, and trauma-informed approaches to protect children online.
The second day of the training featured presentations from prominent legal, psychological, and technical experts. Among them, Mr. Prashant Sushil provided clarity on the legal definitions surrounding issues like online grooming, child pornography, and cyberbullying under Fijian law, along with the related penalties. Ms. Tajeshwari Devi led an interactive case study on the stages of online grooming and discussed emerging threats including risks in online gaming, sextortion, and livestreamed abuse.
Moreover, Mr. Filipe Batiwale expanded on investigation protocols relevant to these cases, while Ms. Kimberly Murray addressed the emotional ramifications of online abuse on children, emphasizing the necessity for trauma-informed counseling. The final sessions introduced practical tools for law enforcement, including an Online Complaints Checklist for immediate field deployment.
The training culminated in a certificate ceremony that underscored the officers’ dedication to creating safer digital spaces for children. With this newly acquired knowledge and resources, participants are now better positioned to tackle online child protection cases effectively.
Similar initiatives have recently gained traction in Fiji, particularly through the National Taskforce Against Pornography (NTAP) and discussions surrounding the Lanzarote Convention, aimed at fortifying Fiji’s legal framework against child exploitation. Those engaged in the fight against online child abuse reflect a growing commitment from various stakeholders and the government to protect vulnerable populations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Fiji’s proactive approach to collaborating with local and international partners highlights a hopeful momentum toward improving child safety online, ultimately fostering a secure environment for future generations.
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