These officers will deliver targeted outreach and education relating to human exploitation, specifically online child sexual exploitation and human trafficking crimes.

Five sworn police officers are now operating in this role in locations across the country. Funded through the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030, HECOs have a community engagement role in delivering dedicated prevention and education initiatives to community groups, schools and members of the public with a strong focus on outreach in regional Australia. HECOs deploy to locations where information suggests these efforts are most needed.

Some of the Activities HECOs Are Involved In Include:

• Educating at-risk and vulnerable areas of the community on the prevention and intervention programs at the AFP relating to online child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
• Engaging community stakeholders to deliver information and promote the work of HECOs through community education initiatives.
• Building on existing efforts of the ThinkUKnow and Look a Little Deeper (LALD) programs.

To request HECO engagement, email ACCCE-HECO@afp.gov.au