Oshana: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Regional Commander for Oshana, Naftal Sakaria, says a week-long training programme on child safeguarding is a critical step in strengthening Namibia's response to child exploitation and gender-based violence.According to Namibia Press Agency, the awareness training on child safeguarding and victim identification, focusing on online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), gender-based violence (GBV), trafficking in persons (TIP), violence against children (VAC), and digital forensics started on Monday and will conclude on Friday.Speaking at the official opening, Sakaria said the initiative is designed to equip frontline officers and practitioners with the skills needed to better identify victims and investigate complex cases. 'The objectives of this training are to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to investigate cases of OCSEA/GBV/VAC/TIP, to strengthen understanding of safeguarding principles and to enhance capacity in handling digital eviden ce through proper forensic practices,' Sakaria said.He stressed that the increase in online child exploitation and related crimes is concerning, and these crimes leave lasting psychological, emotional, and social impacts on victims. It is therefore important not only to enforce the law, but also to ensure that victims are identified, protected, and supported throughout the justice process.Participants include members of the Namibian Police Force, alongside representatives of Unicef Namibia and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. 'This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening our collective response to crimes that threaten the safety, dignity, and future of our children and communities,' the regional commander said.Sakaria noted that stronger collaboration between institutions is necessary to keep pace with evolving threats, particularly those facilitated through digital platforms. 'Such partnerships are essential in addressing the complex and evolving threats we face in to day's digital world. We are living in an era where the digital landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. While technology continues to offer immense opportunities for development, communication, and learning, it also presents serious risks particularly to children and other vulnerable groups,' he said.