Oshana police launch digital crime and child protection programme

By: Maria Namupala

Oshana Regional Commander, commissioner Naftal Sakaria, on Monday officially opened a week-long awareness training programme in Oshakati focused amongst others on safeguarding children and identifying victims of online crime.

Sakaria said the training is focusing on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Violence Against Children (VAC), and Digital Forensics.

Commissioner Sakaria noted the programme is aimed at helping police officers and social workers protect children from modern threats and explained to NewsOnOne that while technology like smartphones and the internet offers great ways to learn and communicate, it also brings new dangers.

Sakaria added that criminals now use digital platforms to find, manipulate, and abuse children, while staying hidden and anonymous, and because of these changes, the old-fashioned way of policing is no longer enough.

“The rise of digital devices, smartphones, laptops, and cloud-based platforms have created vast digital footprints, which are now vital tools for solving crimes, but only if the police know how to find and analyze them correctly,” Sakaria said.

The program, which began on Monday 13 April, concludes on Friday.

“It will give participants the skills they need to fight modern crimes, teach them how to investigate cases of online abuse and trafficking, ensuring that victims are identified and supported throughout the entire legal process and train officers on how to handle digital evidence properly using forensic science,” Sakaria said.

The commissioner also highlighted that the training is a team effort between the police, Unicef, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare.