Event Summary

Join the CYTREC team and some fantastic national and international speakers in this virtual [Zoom] roundtable discussion to:

• Identify and exchange knowledge on existing strategies, best practices and tools for supporting victims and building resilience against the impacts of cyber and ‘hybrid’ crimes.
• Discuss creative ideas for new strategies, solutions and tools which may help practitioners to support victims, or victims to help themselves.
• Further the policy and research agendas on responding to victimisation.

Panellists will provide unique insights on the strengths and limitations of current responses to cybercrime victimisation, as well as recommendations on how to improve the victim response. Each speaker will have 5 minutes to contribute their opening remarks, followed by a roundtable discussion, audience contributions and Q&A.

Register and join the conversation!

Speakers

Chairs: Sara Correia and Dr Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo

• Associate Professor Cassandra Cross (Queensland University of Technology)
• Claire Perrin (Cyber Protect Officer, South Wales Police)
• Ricardo Estrela (Operational Manager at the Safer Internet Helpline, APAV - Victim Support Portugal)
• Dr Tarek Sharif (Executive Director, AFRIPOL)
• Tom Edwards (Area Manager Wales, Victim Support)

Agenda

11:30-11:40: Welcome

11:40-12:20: In-conversation with speakers

12:20-12:40: Q&A session

12:40-12:50: Closing Remarks

12:50-13:00: E-safety video

About this event

The volume and impact of online and ‘hybrid’ crimes on victims is staggering and has increased during the COVID19 pandemic. Crimes such as hacking, malware, online fraud, cyber-harassment and online hate crimes often cause direct and indirect financial losses, but can also have serious consequences for victims’ health and general wellbeing. In addition, with digital technologies becoming embedded in everyday life, the line between online and offline is increasingly blurred, with more instances of ‘hybrid’ online and offline crimes (e.g., intimate partner violence and control). It is imperative that we understand how victims’ rights are realised and their needs met in this ‘Digital Society’.

From local to international levels, policy makers are focused on improving cybercrime responses. Interventions have emphasized the role of legislation, law enforcement, multi-stakeholder cooperation and capacity building. Issues such as victim assistance and protection, education and awareness-raising, as well as the institutional mechanisms for victim support, however, should be included at the core of the cybercrime debate. Challenges such as the increasingly blurry online/offline dichotomy, the under-reporting of cybercrime, the limited legislative and policy measures focused on victimisation support and prevention, difficulties in ensuring that victims have access to the right support, as well as the designing-in of cyber protection into everyday technologies for example, are key areas for improvement.

This roundtable discussion will bring together a range of practitioners and academics with unique perspectives on victimisation, to discuss support models and best practices to increase victim resilience. Each of the speakers will briefly provide their own perspective on the strengths and limitations of current responses to cybercrime victims and what might improve this response in the future. Speakers will also consider practical tools/solutions, including technological tools that might help bring those recommendations to life. This could be anything from a tool to collect better data on victims’ needs, tools to enhance referral systems between stakeholders, a technological app/platform connecting victims to services etc.

To finish on a doubly creative note, we will close the event with an e-Safety video put together by children of the St. Josephs Cathedral Primary School.

Week of Events

This virtual roundtable discussion is part of the Legal Innovation Lab Wales week of events, taking place between 21st-25th June 2021.

For more details check out our event listings here.