DSI joins Connect Thailand in a seminar to combat online sexual exploitation of children and youths and to stop cyber threats

            On Friday, March 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Acting Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), presided over the opening ceremony of the seminar "Combating Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youths". The seminar was co-hosted by the DSI and the Connect Thailand Project Committee (A Networking & Anti Trafficking Forum) of the A21 Foundation, Rise Foundation, and Freedom Story Foundation. Mr. Khemachart Prakaihongmanee, the Director of Bureau of Technology and Cyber Crime, gave a report on the objectives of the project. The seminar served as a platform for exchanging information and experiences in combating the sexual exploitation of children and youths and child sexual abuse. It also aimed to build relationships, create partnerships, and establish a sustainable network of cooperation. The seminar was held at the DSI Reception Room, Ratchaburidirekrit Building (Building A).

            Currently, the online sexual exploitation and abuse of children and youths has become a serious criminal problem with significant impacts on Thai children and youths. Meanwhile, it is also related to the problem of human trafficking in Thailand, which has become more serious as digital technology has developed rapidly. Offenders have easier access to child and juvenile victims than other groups, resulting in an increase in the number of cases of online child sexual abuse. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Connect Thailand Project Committee (A Networking & Anti Trafficking Forum) recognize the importance of both developing technology to improve the efficiency of operations and solving the problem of sexual exploitation of children and youths. Therefore, they have jointly organized a seminar on "Combating Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youths". This seminar is an opportunity to jointly address the problem of sexual exploitation of children and youths on a national scale and to share ideas on amending the Criminal Code in relation to child sexual offences to be more comprehensive, including child grooming, sexting, sextortion, cyber stalking, etc. It also includes enlightening officers about the way to treat child and juvenile victims with consideration for their psychological trauma. The seminar was honored with the presence of experts on combating the sexual exploitation of children and youths from various agencies, including the DSI, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, international organizations, foreign embassies in Thailand, NGOs, etc., and participants from more than 40 government and private agencies, totaling 70 people.