AIC 2025 Conference: Reducing online harms
About
The Australian Institute of Criminology will be hosting the AIC 2025 Conference on 11-12 March 2025. The theme of this year’s conference will be Reducing Online Harms and the aim of the event is to present the latest research on the changing nature of online harms and approaches to preventing, disrupting and mitigating those harms, as well as approaches to support victim / survivor recovery.CONFIRMED SESSIONS INCLUDE:
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Scams and fraud
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Ransomware
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Online radicalisation and conspiracy theories
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Sextortion
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Harms from adult-based platforms
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Harms from AI
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The internet and misogyny
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Prevention of online harm
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Victim / survivor recovery
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Harms from pornography
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Image based abuse
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Online enablement of HTMS and sexual exploitation
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
- Keynote – Professor Ethel Quayle, University of Edinburgh
- Keynote – Professor Rutger Leukfeldt, Leiden University
- Anthony Morgan, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Dr Sarah Napier, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Dr Heather Wolbers, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Dr Miranda Bruce, University of New South Wales
- Cassandra Cross, Queensland University of Technology
- eSafety
- Dr Timothy Cubitt, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Kelly Humpries, AiLECS
- Carol Ronken, Bravehearts
- Professor Michael Salter, University of New South Wales
- Isabella Voce, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Professor Chad Whelan, Deakin University
- Laura Doherty, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Vivian Gerrand, Deakin University
- Stephanie Wescott, Monash University
- Australian Federal Police
- Professor Jeremy Prichard, University of Tasmania
- Bowen Fung, Behavioural Insights Team
- Dr Tahlia Hart, Flinders University
- Associate Professor Russell Brewer
- Dr Alexandra Voce, Australian Institute of Crimiology
- Dr Siobhan Lawler, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Samantha Lyneham, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Professor Nicola Henry, RMIT University
- Dr Christopher Dowling, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Tom Sullivan, Australian Institute of Criminology
- Dr Heather McKay, AIFS
- Rachel Moody, AIFS
- Dr Matteo Vergani, Deakin University
- Professor Ryan Ko, Univesity of Queensland
About our keynote speakers:
Professor Leukfeldt will be speaking on Examining the pathways into cybercrime and online interventions.
Abstract
What are pathways into cybercrime and how does someone become involved in a cybercriminal network? The first part of this presentation will be based on interviews with 25 criminal hackers about their online and offline pathways into cybercrime, co-offending and desistence. Preliminary results show that the first (baby) steps in pathways into cybercrime include gaming, Google and YouTube. In the second part of this presentation, two online interventions will be discussed. The first intervention uses Google to deter persons looking for cybercriminal tools to carry out DDoS-attacks and the second one uses Instagram to inform potential money mules.
Biography
Rutger Leukfeldt holds the special chair of Governing Cybercrime at Leiden University. The chair is established and managed by the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR). At NSCR, Rutger is a senior researcher and he is also director of the Centre of Expertise Cybersecurity at the Hague University of Applied Sciences. Rutger's education and research focuses on the human factor in cybercrime. Who are the perpetrators, what are their crime scripts? What are risk profiles of victims? How can we tackle cybercrime? Rutger has more than 130 cybercrime publications to his name (including more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, 7 books and numerous professional publications and reports). Rutger is chair of the Cybercrime Working Group of the European Society of Criminology (ESC) and one of the founders of the annual Human Factors in Cybercrime Conference.
Professor Quayle will be speaking on Technology-facilitated sexual crimes against children: offenders, victims and environment.
Abstract
While there is no evidence that online abuse and exploitation are more serious or pervasive offences than crimes occurring offline, recent research has suggested that a considerable proportion of children and young people have experienced technology-facilitated sexual abuse. It is the case that the affordances offered by online social media may present a significant risk factor for some children to experience harm from adults and peers motivated by a sexual interest in children. Three factors play an important role in this complex and dynamic scenario: potential perpetrators and victims, the social context in which criminal activities take place and the rapidly changing medium. Online sexual crimes against children are committed by people who are motivated to sexually offend, and their online activities are purposive, and goal directed. However, even if motivation and facilitation factors are present, sexual offences cannot take place without opportunities to act. There is a person–environment interaction, in that individuals who are strongly motivated to commit sexual offences are more likely to seek out or create opportunities to offend. This presentation examines the interaction between offender motivation, victim vulnerabilities and the affordances offered by technology.
Biography
Professor Ethel Quayle is a psychologist and academic specialising in forensic clinical psychology, with a focus on online offending, child protection, and situational crime prevention. Based at the University of Edinburgh, her research examines the psychological and behavioural dynamics of internet-facilitated sexual offending, alongside strategies to mitigate risks and reduce harm. Her work frequently applies the principles of situational crime prevention, exploring how changes to environments—both digital and physical—can deter offending and protect potential victims. Professor Quayle has contributed to the development of practical interventions, such as tools to disrupt access to harmful content, reduce opportunities for exploitation, and enhance online safety frameworks. In addition to her academic work, she collaborates with law enforcement and child protection agencies to apply research insights to real-world challenges. Her contributions span offender behaviour, victim support, and prevention strategies, emphasizing the integration of research into actionable policies and practices.
OUR SPONSORS
Gold Sponsors
- Attorney-General's Department
Silver Sponsors
- Department of Home Affairs
- Department of Social Services
Bronze Sponsors
- AUSTRAC
- Western Australia Police Force
Dates
Tuesday 11 March 2025 - Wednesday 12 March 2025 (UTC+11)Location
Flex by ISPT
4 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
TICKET PRICING
One Day Ticket - $330 (including GST)
Two Day Ticket - $550 (including GST)
Group Ticket (10 Tickets x 2 Days) - $4400 (including GST)
If you prefer to pay via invoice please contact event organiser.
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AIC 2025 Conference: Reducing online harms
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