Now that you are aware of some of the safety issues associated with children on the Internet, and have an idea of where to turn if something happens, now what?
If you have any concerns about material that your child has received via the internet or any interactions that cause concern you should contact you local Police Station as soon as possible.
If the matter requires specialist investigation or expertise they may forward it to the New South Wales Police Force Child Exploitation Internet Unit. This is a specialist unit within the State Crime Command Sex Crimes Squad and their mission is to investigate child sexual abuse and exploitation of children that is facilitated through the use of the Internet and related computer or telecommunication devices.
(For further information refer to the Child Exploitation Internet Site within the New South Wales Police Force Internet Site.)
If any of the following scenarios arise you should contact your local police or Crime Stoppers on the national toll free number 1800 333 000. Be guided by the advice they provide to you. Possible scenarios
- Your child or anyone in the household has received child pornography;
- Your child has been sexually solicited by someone who knows that your child is under 18 years of age;
- Your child has received sexually explicit images from someone that knows your child is under the age of 18.
If one of these scenarios occurs, keep the computer turned off in order to preserve any evidence for possible future law enforcement use. Unless directed to do so by any law enforcement agency, you should not copy any of the images/an or text found on the computer.