We kindly invite you to a lecture by Robert Tekavec entitled “Criminal Activities Related to the Presence of Children in the Virtual Environment – Virtual International Organized Groups and Child Sexual Abuse”, which will take place as part of Tuesday Meetings on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, at 11.00 am in the library of the Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law Ljubljana.
The internet is used by many different people for many different reasons. Among them are individuals whose intentions are clearly harmful, abusive, and dangerous. In practice, these offenders deliberately enter online spaces where children and adolescents are active, especially social networks, communication platforms, and online games.
When making contact, they often use identity concealment strategies. Most commonly, they present themselves as peers, and in some cases they actually are peers. In this way, they create a sense of trust and closeness. Through carefully planned and manipulative approaches, they gradually increase their influence over the victim. Their goal is to identify a child’s vulnerabilities and exploit them for their own benefit.
Offenders often target children who are lonely, have low self-esteem, are seeking friendship, or do not feel accepted in their physical environment. To such victims, they offer attention, support, validation, and a sense of belonging. As a result, the child becomes a more vulnerable and easier target for further abuse.
Children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 17 are frequently exposed to the risk of online sexual abuse, especially in cases involving the sharing of intimate photos or videos. Such material can become the starting point for online blackmail, threats, and escalating pressure. Victims often feel trapped and see no way out. In some cases, blackmail can even lead to situations where victims are forced into further actions, such as obtaining intimate images from others, through which they may unknowingly become offenders themselves.
Robert Tekavec, Senior Criminal Investigation Inspector Specialist, is the Head of the Juvenile Crime Division at the Criminal Police Directorate of the General Police Directorate. He has been employed by the police for 25 years. Previously, he worked at the Criminal Investigation Sector of the Ljubljana Police Directorate, where he spent many years investigating criminal offences related to domestic violence, violence against children, juvenile crime, and child sexual abuse, in recent years mainly child sexual abuse via the internet.
As Head of the Division, he participates in the development of strategies and proposals for legislation that ensure more effective investigation and prevention of this type of crime, with the ultimate goal of protecting children. In the investigation of child sexual abuse cases, he cooperates with foreign law enforcement authorities as well as domestic and international organizations, while also exchanging knowledge and experience with experts from Slovenia and abroad. He is the national representative of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) in the field of combating child sexual abuse, which represents one of the most important forms of international police cooperation.
Contact person and event moderator: dr. Jasmina Arnež.
Video and audio recording of the event is not allowed.
