A two-day training aimed at enhancing online child protection efforts concluded successfully with Fiji Police officers gaining critical knowledge and tools to tackle online exploitation and abuse.

The “Swipe Safe Child Protection Professionals Training,” led by the Online Safety Commission (OSC) in partnership with ChildFund Australia and supported by UNICEF, wrapped up its second day with sessions focused on legislation, investigative tools, and victim-centered approaches.

Day 2 featured presentations by legal, psychological, and technical experts. Mr. Prashant Sushil outlined the legal definitions of online grooming, child pornography, and cyberbullying under Fijian law, while also discussing associated penalties.

Ms. Tajeshwari Devi provided an overview of online grooming stages and led an interactive case study on Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), while also discussing emerging threats like online gaming risks, sextortion, and livestreamed abuse.

Mr. Filipe Batiwale expanded on investigation criteria and relevant legal frameworks, and Ms. Kimberly Murray from Empower Pacific addressed the emotional toll of online abuse on children and the need for sensitive, trauma-informed counselling.

In the final sessions, Mr. Samuela Finau introduced digital tools available to law enforcement for cyber investigations, and Ms. Deepika Mala facilitated the creation of an Online Complaints Checklist- an operational tool designed for immediate field use.

The training ended with a certificate ceremony, recognising the officers’ commitment to safeguarding children in digital spaces. Participants are now equipped with practical resources and renewed resolve to better address online child protection cases.