Researchers from across the University of Tasmania have been recognised by the Australian Federal Police for their work countering online child exploitation.
Projects led by Professor Jeremy Prichard, Associate Professor Joel Scanlan, Associate Professor Jim Sauer and Dr Rebecca Bradfield were recipients of the AFP’s Human Exploitation Partnership Recognition Initiative.
The initiative was established to acknowledge the significant contribution of AFP partners’ responses to human trafficking and online child sexual exploitation. The University of Tasmania is only the second-ever recipient of the award.
It was recognised for two related bodies of work – interdisciplinary research on the use of messaging to counter online child exploitation, and a recent Tasmania Law Reform Institute report on the youth justice system.
“The University of Tasmania was selected by the judging panel for its outstanding contributions to strengthening Australia’s response to online child sexual exploitation, particularly through its project focused on upskilling agencies in CSAM (child sexual abuse material) prevention messaging,” the AFP’s Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation said.
“Congratulations to the University of Tasmania and all nominees for their ongoing commitment to preventing online exploitation and advancing this critical work.”
The University of Tasmania has led major research projects on online child sexual abuse material since 2015, integrating a broad range of academic expertise across the Schools of Law, Psychology and Information and Communication Technology. This culminated in the establishment of the CSAM Deterrence Centre in 2025, a partnership between the University and Jesuit Social Services (which operates the Stop It Now! Australia helpline), to work with tech companies and other agencies to implement warning messages on their platforms.
It has focused on early interventions including delivering millions of warning messages, and an interactive chatbot, deterring users from illegal activities and referring them to therapeutic services.
The Tasmania Law Reform Institute recently conducted the first in-depth analysis of criminal justice responses to young people who sexually offend online. It brought national attention to the early intervention opportunities that may help reduce the number of young people who continue online sexual offending into adulthood.
These research projects have been undertaken with the support of organisations including Jesuit Social Services, Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Australian Institute of Criminology, eSafety Commissioner, Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).
The topic of child exploitation might leave you wanting to discuss things with someone. If so, you might like to contact Beyond Blue (ph: 1300 22 4636) or Headspace (ph: 1800 650 890).