Sentencing Seminar — Let’s talk about sexts: vulnerable victims or unwitting offenders?

Teens across Queensland who share explicit images using smartphones, social networks and game consoles may be committing an offence. This could not only lead to cyberbullying but also a criminal record. Over the last decade more than 1500 young people under 17 years of age have been cautioned or conferenced by Queensland Police for child exploitation material offences — the majority for sexting. Our seminar discussed the issue of teen sexting from all sides: victims, perpetrators and the criminal justice system kicking off with the real-life story of a 15-year-old boy unwittingly caught up in sexting. Our panel of experts provide insight into this type of incident, how it can be prevented and how, if left unaddressed, it can quickly escalate and hold significant consequences for young people. Panel members: — Helen Watkins, Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council — Wayne Steinhardt, Queensland Police Service — Rob Priddey, Cybersafety Team, Department of Education — Prof Mark Kebbell, Griffith Criminology Institute