sonya ryan

2022 survivor keynote

Sonya is the mother of Carly Ryan who was 15-years-old when she was murdered by a predator she met online. Determined to help prevent harm to other innocent children and to help them navigate their online journey safely, Sonya shared her experience and incorporated The Carly Ryan Foundation, creating an extraordinary legacy. In 2017, ‘Carly’s Law’ was introduced into the Australian Commonwealth Criminal Code after seven years of lobbying by Sonya. Carly’s Law will enable law enforcement agencies to take action against predators sooner and with greater consequence. It will give police the power to intervene before predators have a chance to act, and will also serve as a strong deterrent. Sonya’s lived experience of extreme suffering demonstrates the strength of a mother’s connection with her daughter – the unparalleled power of love.