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WEBINAR 31: Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse and Online Exploitation

 Thursday, June 13, 2019

View the full recording and download the presentations.

Child sexual abuse and online sexual exploitation are prevalent in all areas of the world that have been studied. At some point social service workers are likely to encounter victims of abuse and exploitation, and work with their caregivers and families. In doing so, it is critical to be aware of factors that render children and adolescents vulnerable to sexual abuse and online exploitation, recognize possible indicators of victimization, and adopt a trauma-informed, rights-based approach to working with children and families who have experienced abuse or exploitation.

The webinar will address the following key questions:

  • What are the definitions and dynamics of child sexual abuse?
  • What are common forms of online sexual exploitation?
  • What are the common risk factors and potential behavioral indicators that may signal victimization?
  • Which technics of grooming are used by offenders?
  • What is considered under the concept of trauma-informed care?
  • How should trauma-informed strategies be applied in working with abused/exploited children?
Presenters from the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) will also provide an overview the organization and its programs. ICMEC is a leading global organization, working around the world to advance child protection and to safeguard children from sexual abuse, exploitation and abduction. ICMEC’s varied program response through research-based advocacy, training, technical assistance and a collaborative approach to addressing these issues, empowers and equips global partners – including frontline social service workers as well as government, academia, law enforcement, healthcare workers, teachers, school administrators, private industry and the NGO community – to make the world a safer place for children.

 

With initiatives like the Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography, the Global Missing Children’s Network and the Global Initiative for Child Health & Well-Being, ICMEC fosters cooperation across borders to build networks that allow for information-sharing and enhance and enrich frontlines practices in child protection. In addition to a worldwide headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, ICMEC has a regional office for Asia-Pacific in Singapore, and regional representation for Latin American and the Caribbean based in Brazil.

Presenters:

Ms. Bindu Sharma serves as the Asia-Pacific Policy Director at the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC). Based in Singapore, she leads the ICMEC program in the region to expand ICMEC’s policy, advocacy and research agenda; and establish multi-stakeholder partnerships that enhance and enrich frontline practices in child protection. She chairs the Asia Pacific Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography, a collaborative initiative with the financial payments and technology industry and law enforcement. Bindu is the author of the book, “Contextualizing CSR in Asia”, a broad survey detailing the history and practice of corporate social responsibility, published in 2013. Bindu serves on the Board of Directors of the International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), USA, and is a member of the Audit Committee. Bindu holds Master of Arts degrees in Public Policy and International Development from the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, USA, and in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the Jesus & Mary College, Delhi University, India.

Dr. Jordan Greenbaum, MD, is a U.S.-based child abuse physician who received her degree from Yale School of Medicine, USA. She is the medical director of the Global Health and Well-being Initiative with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the medical director of the Institute on Healthcare and Human Trafficking at the Stephanie Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She co-chairs the Human Trafficking committee for the Ray Helfer Society and the Education/Training committee for HEAL Trafficking, an organization of medical professionals working on human trafficking issues. Dr. Greenbaum has served on national committees and workgroups regarding human trafficking and has testified for US Congressional committees.  She co-authored a clinical report and a policy statement regarding child trafficking for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Greenbaum provides local, national and international trainings on child trafficking and exploitation. 

The webinar will be moderated by Natia Partskhaladze, Senior Technical Advisor, Global Social Service Workforce Alliance. 

Following the presentations, there will be time for questions and answers.