Complexities in Australia’s local and federal efforts to address child sexual exploitation online: understanding the significance of reporting

<p dir="ltr">Child sexual exploitation is a significantly harmful crime which requires an urgent response, guided by policy that reflects the changing digital landscape. Unfortunately, despite Australia's established response involving local and federal government, the subsequent lack of clarity, alignment, and cohesion results in an array of support gaps for youth, families, and practitioners. These gaps hinder Australia’s capability and efficacy of reporting. This thesis examines individual and broader level harms of child sexual exploitation online, and critically assesses the capacity for Australia to respond. Research throughout this thesis involves a literature review of the current academic landscape, and subsequent limitations faced by academics in assessing child sexual exploitation. Additionally, this thesis incorporates a document analysis of open-source information by local jurisdictions across Australia.</p><p dir="ltr">As a means of examining the Australia's response, this thesis answers the key research question ‘How do current reporting pathways impact Australia’s efforts to counter online child exploitation?’ and secondary research questions 'what strategies are used by states and territories across Australia to guide reporting of online child exploitation’ and ‘to what extent do the gaps in policy and legislation between Australia’s States and Territories impact an effective federal response to online child exploitation?’ Findings presented throughout this thesis may support further considerations to policy cohesion, and guide further research upon the most appropriate means to support reporting within Australia. Furthermore, this thesis bolsters the notion that suitable reporting avenues are likely to sustain a more effective response to preventing and addressing child sexual exploitation within Australia and abroad.</p>