Sex abuse victim says justice is the key A SEXUAL abuse victim says the conviction of the man who abused him as a child did more to heal him than years of therapy and drugs. He was speaking at a three-day Task Force Argos Queensland Police conference into child sex abuse on Monday. Bravehearts victim ambassador Mark Lawrence says child sex abuse is a worse crime than premeditated murder because of its ongoing damage to the victim and those close to them. Mr Lawrence told attendees on the Gold Coast how the trial and conviction two years ago of the man who abused him as a child in the 1970s had been critical to his recovery. "I have seen psychiatrists, psychologists," Mr Lawrence said. I have taken anti-depressant drugs, I've taken everything for years and years to try and help me. I can tell you know, as soon as that gavel went down and (the judge) said 'guilty', I was healed. My world changed overnight. I stand here today with a message of hope. Conferences like this, the Royal Commission in Australia, it gives victims so much hope that you can lead a better life, a decent life, and a happy life. The conference will feature speakers from international law enforcement agencies as well as experts on child sex offenders and offences from across the globe. It's the first time Task Force Argos has held such a conference and this week's event has a focus on techniques used to identify and apprehend those who use the internet to commit child sex crimes. Jon Peacock from New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs will highlight a case where Facebook helped police crack a child pornography distribution network. "We have learnt over the years that the people who have an interest in offending in this way are very technically agile and they will pick up new technology very quickly," he said.