Wake County Sexual Assault Response Team Annual Summit

Technology is rapidly changing the landscape of sexual violence. Artificial intelligence, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), digitally created and altered sexual content, online exploitation, and other forms of technology-facilitated sexual violence are creating new challenges for survivors - and for the professionals and systems responsible for responding to them.

The Wake County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) invites multidisciplinary professionals to Evolving Harm: AI, CSAM, Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence & the Future of Sexual Violence Response, a full-day summit examining what these changes mean for investigations and law enforcement response, prosecution, advocacy, survivor care, forensic response, prevention, and the future of our work.

The day will feature speakers and professionals from across the multidisciplinary response to sexual violence, including local and state law enforcement, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, forensic and laboratory professionals from the Wake County Crime Lab, researchers, legal professionals, victim service providers, and other community partners.

Sessions will address AI fundamentals and emerging terminology in conjuction with State of North Carolina law & sexual violence, AI and CSAM, technology-facilitated sexual violence, investigative considerations for detectives, survivor impact, evolving laws and prosecution, forensic and laboratory perspectives, current research, and practical considerations for professionals navigating an increasingly digital landscape.

Recognizing the impact this work has on the professionals doing it, the summit will also address vicarious trauma and occupational exposure to traumatic material. Specialized resources will be available for law enforcement officers, investigators, digital forensic professionals, and others whose work requires repeated exposure to CSAM, graphic imagery, and other harmful digital content.

Attendees will leave with practical resources, multidisciplinary connections, and a stronger understanding of both emerging forms of technology-facilitated harm and how our systems can continue evolving to respond effectively and compassionately.