Internet Crimes Against Children

Author:

Petra Orta Public Safety Computer Specialist Records & Technology Operations

Summary:

Internet Crimes against Children

Last Updated:

12/4/2008

The Yuma Police Department is in partnership with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The AZ ICAC is a grant-funded multi-agency organization of Arizona based law enforcement personnel whose mission is to apprehend and bring to justice Internet sexual predators and Internet child pornographers. The Arizona ICAC is one of forty such Task Forces located throughout the United States.

My Rules For Online Safety

I will never give out or send personal information (photos, addresses, telephone numbers or location of school) without my parent's permission.
If I come across or am sent information online that makes me feel uncomfortable, I'll tell my parents or teachers and will not respond to this kind of message.
I'll never agree to get together with someone I meet online without my parent's prior knowledge and consent.

Above rules are courtesy of the National Center for Missing & Eploited Children. 1-800-The-Lost.

Questions About Sexual Exploitation

How big of a problem is child sexual exploitation?

Answer: The sexual victimization of children is overwhelming in magnitude, yet largely unrecognized and underreported. Statistics show that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood, yet less than 35% of those child sexual assaults are reported to authorities.

Reference: To learn more about child sexual exploitation and prevention, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)Campaign Against Child Sexual Exploitation.

How many children are sexually approached and/or solicited online?

Answer: According to Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice “one in five children (10 to 17 years old) receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.”

Reference: For prevention resources and to learn about the seriousness of online predators, online statistics, and profiles please read Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey, Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation's Youth, and Netsmartz Workshop (links below)

How do I get copies of NCMEC publications?

Answer: To obtain a list of, or to order NCMEC books and brochures, please call the toll-free Hotline 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit the Publications area of the NCMEC web site.

May I photocopy NCMEC's safety tips?

Answer: As the federally mandated clearinghouse established to assist with cases of missing and exploited children, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has a policy that promotes the wide dissemination of our copyrighted publications for educational, noncommercial purposes. Please read the NCMEC Reprint Policy to learn the specific criteria under which you are allowed to reprint and disseminate our copyrighted materials.

Reporting Suspected Child Exploitation

Complaints of suspected on line child exploitation should be filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or www.missingkids.com (This link will take you to an external website that is not part of the City of Yuma official website.)