University hosts international law enforcement seminar.

International experts including law enforcement agents, forensic scientists and child protection officers will be amongst the delegates at a conference aimed at combating the sexual exploitation of children. The meeting will be hosted by the University of Glasgow's Centre for Europe's Children at Strathclyde Graduate Business School on 22 and 23 March 2001.

Major topics for discussion are the possibilities of using the Internet to share information between concerned agencies on ways of preventing the misuse of the Internet by paedophiles, child traffickers, organised criminals and child abusers and identification of children in child pornographic images on the Internet. Delegates from ten European countries will hear presentations by representatives from Interpol, Europol and the Association of Chief Officers of Police in Scotland.

Dr Andy Bilson of the University's Centre for Europe's Children, said: "This Seminar presents a rare opportunity for international practitioners against child sexual exploitation to share experiences and resources in combating these crimes.

"Many organisations have already established working units which co-ordinate their efforts at an international level. As well as tackling illegal practices such as the trafficking of children and sex tourism, countries are devising strategies for the prosecution of offenders and developing measures for effectively protecting child victims and witnesses. Due to the sensitivity of the personal data involved most of the information has to be handled very carefully, but it does have to be shared. Success depends largely on effective co-ordination and exchange between all parties involved in tackling child sexual exploitation and through the Net-Enforce project the University of Glasgow will continue its leading role in using the Internet to combat the sexual exploitation of children."

The University of Glasgow's Centre for Europe's Children will introduce Net-Enforce, a new Internet platform against child sexual exploitation in Europe. As well as providing a discussion forum to enable the secure exchange of information and expertise regarding combating sexual exploitation of children, the facility will provide an information and documentation section on child protection legislation, law enforcement activities and non-governmental organisation advice.

Further information for journalists is available at:http://www.newsdesk.gla.ac.uk/pressreleases

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Press briefing: 11.30 am, Thursday 22 March at Strathclyde Graduate Business School

Further information:

* Dr Andy Bilson or Beate Scherrer, Centre for Europe's Children, on 0141 330 5847

* or the University Press Office, 0141 330 3535

Note to Editors:

* Press briefing will take place at Strathclyde Business School, 199 Cathedral Street, Glasgow at 11.30 on Thursday 22 March. Delegates will also be available during the lunch break

* Conference programme available on request

ENDS

First published: 20 March 2001