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Lake County

Internet Crimes Against Children
Lt. Ronald Walters

The following are two brief explanations of the complexity and scope of Internet Crimes against children that we face in our households today from the US Department of Justice and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

        "The Internet is revolutionizing communication in America and across the globe. New vistas in commerce and education are opened every hour by this remarkable network that links government, business, libraries, schools, universities and individuals around the world.
The Internet offers great benefits to everyone, and in particular for children, who are growing up familiar with this technology and its incredible opportunities. By the end of 1998, more than 40% of all American homes had computers 25% with Internet access. Today, more than 45 million kids use the Internet to do homework, talk with friends, and learn about the world around them; by 2005, 77 million kids are expected to be online.
        Unfortunately, there is a dark side to this revolution. Child pornography is created worldwide, including in America, and is readily available on the Internet to those who actively seek it. Anyone with $500 can purchase a computer, gain Internet access and immediately begin collecting and distributing child pornography. Once a pedophile possesses this contraband, he can quickly contact children in Internet chat rooms and send them child pornography to demonstrate that such conduct is normal.
        The scope of this problem is significant: According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 20% of children age 10-17 have received unwanted sexual solicitations online, and prosecutions for online child exploitation occur across the globe.
        Over time, these pedophiles gather personal information from their intended victims and, in the worst cases, may go to great lengths and expense to meet their victims face-to-face. These meetings often result in the kidnapping and sexual assault of the these children. Frequently, new child pornography is generated form these assaults, and this destructive and criminal cycle is repeated. " ( Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force http://www.operationsafetynet.org/ )

"Traditionally, both intrafamilial offenders and strangers have found that young children and teenagers are perfect targets for criminal acts because they are often trusting, naive, curious, adventuresome, and eager for attention and affection. However, the most attractive factor to predators is that children and teenagers historically have not been viewed as credible witnesses. Today, the danger to children is even greater because the Internet provides predators anonymity. Whether the victimization occurs in person or over the Internet, the process is the same—the perpetrator uses information to target a child victim. For example, the predator may initiate an online friendship with a young person, sharing hobbies and interests. This may lead to the exchange of gifts and pictures. Just like the traditional predator who targets children in person, the online predator usually is willing to spend considerable time befriending and grooming a child. The predator wants to build the child’s trust, which will allow the predator to get what he or she ultimately wants from the child.
Although no family is immune to the possibility that their child may be exploited and harassed on the Internet, a few factors make some children more vulnerable than others. Older children tend to be at greater risk because they often use the computer unsupervised and are more likely to engage in online discussions of a personal nature. Some victims become unwitting participants as they actively participate in chat rooms, trade e-mail messages, and send pictures online. Troubled or rebellious teens who are seeking emancipation from parental authority can be susceptible to Internet predators. The risk of victimization is greater for emotionally vulnerable youth who may be dealing with issues of sexual identity. These young people may be willing to engage in conversation that is both titillating and exciting but appears innocent and harmless. Unfortunately, Internet interactions that initially appear innocent can gradually lead to sexually explicit conduct. ( US Department of Justice http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/bulletins/internet_2_2001/welcome.html )

What can you do as a Parent ?

	Talk to your child about online sexual victimization and potential online dangers.
	Keep your child's computer in an open area of your home, not in your child's bedroom. Do not allow your child to password or otherwise hide computer activity from you.
	Always maintain access to your child's online account and randomly check his/her e-mail; be up front with your child about your access and reasons why.
	Spend time with your children online; know your child's online friends and habits, and do not allow your child to post an online personal profile or otherwise give out identifying information such name, address, school name or phone number.
	Set rules for computer use for your children, discuss them and make sure that they are followed; teach them the responsible use of online resources.
	Watch the amount of time your children spend online. Excessive use, especially late at night, may indicate a problem.
	Find out what computer safeguards are utilized by your child's school, the public library, and at the homes of your child's friends.
	Instruct your children to never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met online.
	Review what is on your child's computer. If you don't know how, ask a friend, coworker, relative, or other knowledgeable person. Pornography or any kind of sexual communication can be a warning sign.
	Use Caller ID to determine who is calling your child, as well as who your child is calling.

        As always if you need assistance concerning your belief that a crime has occurred concerning the use of the internet to solicit your child or teen please contact us here at the Lake County Sheriff's Office and we will immediately address your concerns.

Lt. Ron Walters
Lake County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau

        My email address where you contact me is .....

rwalters@lakecountyohio.gov

The following are a few websites you will find useful in helping you become better informed of the problem concerning the use of the internet for sexual exploitation of children and teens.

pguidee.htm

Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, also known as Operation SafetyNet
http://www.operationsafetynet.org/

FBI Cyber Investigations
http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/cyberhome.htm

The Department of Justice CyberCrime Website
http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/law3a.htm#USDOJ

US Department of Justice Office For Victims of Crime
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/bulletins/internet_2_2001/welcome.html

Reporting Internet Crimes

Reporting Internet Crimes

1. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
http://www.ic3.gov/

IC3's mission is to serve as a vehicle to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 gives the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. For law enforcement and regulatory agencies at the federal, state, local and international level, IC3 provides a central referral mechanism for complaints involving Internet related crimes.

2. U.S. Customs ~ Child Exploitation Unit, Customs CyberSmuggling Center
http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/law3a.htm

What Can I Do?
There is no easy formula for discovering and identifying a consumer or purveyor of child pornography. However, if you have information about or suspect this type of illegal activity, contact Customs as soon as possible.

Call 1-800-BE-ALERT.

PLEASE DO NOT DOWNLOAD CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, AS THIS IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. MERE POSSESSION OF THIS MATERIAL IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW AND MAY VIOLATE STATE STATUTES AS WELL.

Customs is also working closely with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to combat the proliferation of this disturbing material. You can also report suspicious activity relating to child pornography to their "Tipline" at 1-800-843-5678.

Complaints regarding websites, individuals, servers, or chat rooms trafficking in suspected Child Pornography can be forwarded to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com and the information will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigative action. Please include as much information as possible about the persons involved if known, to include URL addresses, their E-mail addresses, FTP site, etc.

The protection of our children and the elimination of this illegal material depend on all of us to do our part. Please report any violations that you see. You can make a difference!

We ask that you not intentionally look for child pornography and, in doing so, you may open yourself up to becoming a target. Also, once you enter any websites containing this subject matter, you will be on a "mailing list" of sorts and may start receiving ads and "spams".

We, as well as other law enforcement agencies, check chat rooms. We also investigate sites in other countries and actively work with foreign law enforcement.

Thank you again for your interest and dedication. Giving us your tips is the gateway in helping our investigations.

The Staff of the U.S. Customs CyberSmuggling Center

A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm