ThinkUKnow

The AFP has a significant role to play in ensuring children and young people are safe, no matter what environment they are in. In fulfilling this role, the AFP has forged strong partnerships with all Australian law enforcement agencies, many international agencies, government departments, industry and not-for-profit organisations.

The AFP is involved in many crime prevention and awareness raising initiatives, particularly in relation to keeping young people safe online and reducing the incidence on online child sexual exploitation.

The ThinkUKnow program is led by the AFP and delivered nationally in partnership with law enforcement and industry to raise awareness and educate the community about preventing online child sexual exploitation.

The program is delivered in partnership with the AFP, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Datacom and Microsoft Australia, and in collaboration with all State and Territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia. This enables a whole-of-community approach, driven through the lens of technology and real police experience.

The program addresses areas such as self-produced child exploitation (sexting), privacy and inappropriate/unwanted contact, online grooming, image-based abuse, sexual extortion and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.

Presentations for students are delivered nationally in schools through State and Territory police partners, aiming to facilitate positive engagement with young people and law enforcement while equipping students with the knowledge and skills to be able to take actionable steps to maintain their safety at all times.

Presentations for parents, carers and teachers are delivered by volunteers from law enforcement and industry partners. Presentations cover what young people See, Say and Do online, the challenges they may face and how to take action through reporting and supporting. These presentations are also supported by home learning activities designed for parents and carers to do with their children so that everyone can learn together.

Teacher resources, including the Teacher's Toolkit initiative has been developed to assist teachers in addressing specific issues relating to online child sexual exploitation in a variety of learning environments including online, remote and in the classroom.

All student resources are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and use up-to-date research and real case studies to illustrate the challenges students may face and how to get help.

For more information, including resources for parents, carers and teachers, visit the ThinkUKnow website.