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Last week more than 90 people committed to preventing technology assisted child sexual abuse, and supporting recovery of victims of technology-assisted child sexual abuse, came together to take part in our annual conference. 

The jam-packed event at BT Tower was opened on Wednesday by Marie Collins Foundation CEO Vicki Green who urged those attending “to not be overwhelmed by the statistics they will hear or the emerging threats that technology poses to children and young people, but to focus on making a difference to one child at a time.”  

Over the two days, participants were able to take time to consider the real impact of these issues on the children they live and work with. They heard from leading academics in the field, who highlighted the prevalence and accessibility of porn, as well as the characteristics of sex offenders and how they operate online. Experts also discussed about how simple changes in service delivery can prevent victims from suffering further harm. MCF staff shared their professional expertise developed over 12 years of working to support victims of TACSA. 

MCF work to elevate the voice of those with lived experience and we are proud to say that the conference was co-developed with and co-delivered by our Lived Experience Group. Attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from victims and survivors who shared their opinions and expertise on a range of topics, the impact of sexual abuse both current and long term, the issues of online pornography on children and the unseen fallout from familial abuse. One session also enabled delegates to hear from parents affected by technology-assisted child sexual abuse who shared learning on how to advocate for children and their families after disclosure or discovery.  

The event offered many opportunities for a deep dive into topics by running interactive workshops. 

Some quotes from those who participated across the two days: 

“Thank you once again for a most informative conference that will certainly be transformative in our own professional safeguarding work in Tower Hamlets.” 

“We really valued being able to attend the conference and gain more insight into the incredible work already being done but also the huge challenges faced.  The care you put in to planning and providing support for those attending was very evident.” 

“As academics, we have the privilege of attending some interesting events, but there are some that truly stand out. The conference organised by the Marie Collins Foundation, at the iconic BT Tower, chaired by Victoria Green was a remarkable occasion." 

"It felt as if I was in a room surrounded by critical friends, all driven by a shared desire to collaborate and make this world a safer and better place for children. This 2-day event was brimming with energy, filled with exceptional individuals, and enriched by an extraordinary knowledge. What made it even more significant was the diverse range of voices.” 

The conference would not have been possible with our incredible partners and keynote speakers: 

• Helen Burrows, Scott Broadley and Dee Turner, BT Group 

• Associate Professor Michael Salter, School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales 

• Chris Hughes, Hotline Director, IWF 

• Catherine Knibbs, Human Behaviour Technologist 

• Simon Bailey CBE, QPM, DL, Chair of Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (PIER) 

• T/Detective Inspector Andy Marsh, UK Policing 

• Laura Higgins, Senior Director of Community Safety and Digital Civility, Roblox 

• Akhim Dev, Director 

• Dr Sharon Cooper, MD FAAP President and CEO of Developmental & Forensic Pediatrics, PA  

• Penny Tyndale-Hardy, Psychotherapist and Trainer 

• Amanda Goharian, Senior Research Manager, Thorn 

• Lizzie Reeves, Senior Policy Manager, Internet Matters 

• Sarah Goff, Senior Research Associate University of Portsmouth 

• Phoebe Roberts, Assistant Education Manager, Childnet 

• Professor Nuria Lorenzo-Dus, DRAGON-S Project Principal Investigator, Swansea University 

• Ruth Mullineux-Morgan, DRAGON-Shield Deputy Lead, Swansea University 

• Philip Baines, MCF Safeguarding & Training Consultant 

• Prof. Rachel Armitage,  Professor of Criminology, University of Huddersfield 

• Lucy, visiting research fellow 

• Dr Theresa Redmond, The Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (PIER), Associate Professor, Anglia Ruskin University 

• PC Tom Scott, Lincolnshire police, Indirect Victim Support Officer