Canada’s Efforts to Protect Children from Technology-Facilitated Violence, Exploitation, and Sexual Abuse

Lecture by Marc-Antoine Therrien
Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Room B-4295, Jean-Brillant Building, Université de Montréal, and via Zoom

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Abstract

The increasing online presence of children and the rapid technological advances of recent years have significantly heightened the prevalence of technology-facilitated sexual crimes against minors in Canada and around the world. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence and encryption technologies has further complicated law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts to investigate and pursue perpetrators of child sexual exploitation. Governments face a considerable challenge in addressing this rapidly evolving phenomenon, which causes profound harm to victims, survivors, and their families. This lecture will present Canada’s efforts to combat these crimes, emphasizing the need for a whole-of-society approach and the critical role of data and scientific research in informing effective responses.

Biography

Marc-Antoine Therrien

marc-antoine.therrien@ps-sp.gc.ca

Manager at Public Safety Canada, Marc-Antoine Therrien is responsible for the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Theory and Public Management from the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP).