Carly Ryan was 15-years-old when she was murdered by an online predator. It was the first crime of its type in Australia, occurring in 2007 when social media was a new phenomenon and paedophiles were increasing their efforts to infiltrate the online space. Determined to help prevent harm to other innocent children and to help them navigate their online journey safely, Carly’s mum Sonya, shared her lived experience and incorporated The Carly Ryan Foundation (CRF) in 2010 creating an extraordinary legacy.
The Carly Ryan Foundation is broadening its efforts and is now established in the United States and will continue their advocacy to introduce Carly Law there whilst sharing valuable resources and crime prevention initiatives to benefit US citizens and children. This crime type is borderless, offenders can easily access their victims from anywhere in the world, exploiting them under a veil of privacy and anonymity.
Sonya has led efforts for over a decade in Australia to make her home country one of the toughest on online crime and harms. Australia is now an international leader in crime prevention.
Sonya’s lived experience of extreme suffering demonstrates the strength of a mother’s love connection with her daughter – the unparalleled power of love.