Saveetha School of Law, Center for Criminal Justice Research (CCJR) in partnership with Tuilr- Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse (CPHCSA) has organised a one day national conference on Harm In The Digital Playground: Addressing Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on 6th September, 2022. 

The inaugural ceremony started at 10.00 am at Decennial Hall, Saveetha Dental College campus with Tamizh Thai Vazhthu. Welcome address was given by Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Asha Sundaram followed by felicitation of the Chief Guests and resource persons. 

Adv. (Dr.) Prashant Mali, International Cyber & privacy Lawyer was the chief guest, who delivered the keynote address on Online Hate and Online Abuse. He explained how social media has evolved as a platform for venting out online hate and cited examples of real-life cases that he has handled in the past. He specified the need for keeping our laws gender neutral as online abuse frequently happens to male children as well. He pointed out that the public generally perceives that these cyber crimes won’t happen to them or their family and that they can happen to others. Hence the most significant measure in protecting oneself online is to accept the fact that these crimes can happen to anyone including us and to be mindful of our social media behavior.  

(Dr.) Ranjith Oommen, Registrar and Academic Advisor, School of Excellence of law, TNDALU delivered a Special Address on exploitation of Children in Cyberspace - an Indian Perspective. Dr. C. Anita Fabiyola, Assistant Professor (S.S), Chennai Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College delivered a Special Address on Cyberbullying and its facets. Prof (Dr.) Debarti Halder, Professor Parul University  delivered the valedictory address on online abuse and victimization. She pointed out that cyber crimes like bullying, stalking, morphed pornographic images, electronic blackmailing, etc are a few tactics designed to inflict intimidation, control, and other harms online, which are frequently committed by perpetrators and most unlikely to be identified or punished. 

The conference received enthusiastic paper presentations and participation from across the nation which was evaluated and adjudged as the best paper and presenter award at the valedictory function. Ms. Aswathy Prakash G, Center Head, CCJR has delivered the vote of thanks.