Online Sexual Predators: RivCO DA Hosting Prevention Conference

RIVERSIDE — Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin is among a half-dozen speakers slated to address a conference this week focused on how to prevent children from falling prey to sexual predators on the internet.

The ninth annual Children & Families in Crisis education conference, hosted by the nonprofit Unforgettables Foundation, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday via Zoom.

Registration is available online, and the theme of the event is "Protecting Our Kids Against Online Predators," featuring Hestrin, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Angela Brunson, San Bernardino City Schools Police Department Chief Joseph Paulino and others.

The speakers will address cases they have investigated or prosecuted, as well as provide details regarding trends, impacts and what methods or actions can best be applied in trying to keep children safe while engaged with people via social media.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has a unit dedicated to prosecuting child and adult sex offenders.

The Unforgettables Foundation was established in 2000 to assist low-income families with burials and memorials for children they've lost. Since that time, it has expanded its reach to include confronting "primary risks to children's health and wellness," according to the nonprofit.

Additional information is available at unforgettables.org.