Europol Training Course to further strengthen the combating of sexual exploitation of children on the internet

From 6 to 14 October, the course provided training for 58 representatives from EU Member States, non-EU States (Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Moldova, Colombia, New Zealand and USA) and Interpol. The training held at the LAFP-NRW Police Academy was delivered by trainers from Europol, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France and New Zealand, all of whom have extensive knowledge and experience in investigating and combating the sexual abuse of children online. Guest speakers were invited from Interpol, the Lucy Faithful Foundation in the UK, and Portugal. The international and multicultural approach of COSEC is a perfect example of what can be achieved through the joint effort of law enforcement specialists in fighting child sexual exploitation.

Following the European Cybercrime Centre's (EC3) approach to cybercrime and its training ethos, this course brings together expert trainers and specialists to network, exchange knowledge and improve the skills of those fighting against child sexual exploitation on the Internet. In this way, they are better prepared to investigate and dismantle child sex offender networks, while prioritising the rights and safety of the children involved.

Troels Oerting, Head of the EC3 at Europol said: "We are happy to announce that, from today, almost 60 new cyber experts have graduated from our signature course on tackling online child sexual exploitation and are ready to do their utmost to make the Internet safer for our kids. This is a great day for our colleagues and EC3".

Lectures ranged from the latest online investigation techniques and international law enforcement cooperation, through to perpetrator psychology. The course also included a wide range of practical exercises for aligning law enforcement investigation standards. This highly respected Europol course has provided expert training to around 650 law enforcement officers and members of the judiciary from EU Member States and beyond since it first took place in 2000.

For further information:

Europol - Ms Lisanne Kosters, Corporate Communications

Tel: +31 70 302 5001