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Social Media Warfare to Rescue Missing and Exploited ChildrenThe National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates a CyberTipline (www.cybertipline.com) that allows parents and children to report child pornography and other incidents of sexual exploitation of children by submitting an online form. The NCMEC also maintains a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and a website at www.missingkids.com. Complaints received by the NCMEC that indicate a violation of federal law are referred to the FBI for appropriate action. An FBI analyst reviews the information received by the CyberTipline. Analysts conduct research and analyses to identify individuals suspected of any of the following crimes:
Once a potential suspect is identified, FBI analysts compile an investigative packet that includes the applicable CyberTipline reports, subpoena results, public records search results, the illegal images associated with the suspect, and a myriad of other information that is forwarded to the appropriate FBI field office for investigation. In 2008, the FBI, working with the NCMEC, began operation “Rescue Me,” an aggressive program that uses image analysis to determine the identity of child victims depicted in child sexual exploitation material found on the Internet or from other sources. Focusing on items seen in the backgrounds of child pornography images and videos, analysts attempt to answer four basic questions to identify and subsequently rescue victimized children:
In February 2004, the FBI established the Endangered Child Alert program (ECAP) as a new proactive approach to identify unknown individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child pornography. A collaborative effort between the FBI and the NCMEC, ECAP seeks national and international exposure of unknown adults (referred to as John/Jane Does) whose faces and/or distinguishing characteristics are visible in child pornography images. These faces and or distinguishing marks (i.e., scars, moles, tattoos, etc.) are displayed on the “seeking information” section of the FBI website as well as various other media outlets in hopes that someone from the public can identify them. As a result of the ECAP, the faces of many Jane/John Does have been broadcast on cooperating television shows. The FBI’s VCAC program provides a quick and effective response to all incidents of crimes against children. The first few hours after a child is abducted are critical, and that is why established Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) teams were established in October 2005. CARD teams are comprised of experienced personnel with a proven track record in violent crimes against children investigations, especially cases where a child has been abducted by someone other than a family member. The teams work closely with FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit representatives, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime coordinators, and Child Exploitation Task Force members. CARD teams are capable of quickly establishing an on site command post to centralize investigative efforts and operations. Other assets they bring to the table include a new mapping tool to identify and locate registered sex offenders in the area, national and international lead coverage, and the Child Abduction Response Plan to guide investigative efforts. CARD teams are primarily involved in nonfamily child abductions, ransom child abductions, and mysterious disappearances of children. They work with state and local law enforcement to protect and save the lives of innocent children. Family child abductions, a parent kidnapping his or her own child and fleeing for parts unknown, often overseas, happen often. Under the 1982 Missing Children’s Act, the circumstances surrounding the disappearance must indicate that the child was removed from the control of his or her legal custodian without the custodian’s consent, or the circumstances of the case must strongly indicate that the child is likely to have been abused or sexually exploited. Two federal criminal investigative options and one non-criminal or civil method may be pursued when a child is abducted by a parent and taken over state lines or outside the United States:
Criminal processes enable the arrest of the abducting parent but do not specifically order the return of the child, although the child is usually returned when the parent is apprehended. The civil process, on the other hand, facilitates the return of the child but does not seek the arrest or return of the abductor. Thus, a criminal process would not be pursued if circumstances indicate it will jeopardize an active Hague Convention civil process. It is important to understand that the FBI has no investigative jurisdiction outside the United States except on the high seas and other locations specifically identified by U.S. Congress. The FBI works through existing partnerships with international authorities through the U.S. Department of State, the Legal Attache program, and INTERPOL. The Department of State receives approximately 1200 new Hague and non-Hague cases annually. The FBI authority in parental kidnapping cases stems from the Fugitive Felon Act as part of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1073—UFAP. For the FBI to assist with a UFAP arrest warrant, the following criteria must be met: ? There must be probable cause to believe the abducting parent has fled interstate or internationally to avoid prosecution or confinement.
In 1932, Congress gave the FBI jurisdiction under the Lindbergh Law to immediately investigate any reported mysterious disappearance or kidnapping involving a child of tender age usually 12 years old or younger. Child abductions by strangers are often complex and high-profile cases and time is of the essence. FBI CARD teams are deployed soon after an abduction is reported to a local FBI field office, to FBI headquarters, or to the NCMEC, or in other cases when the FBI determines an investigation is warranted. In June 2003, the FBI, in conjunction with the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and the NCMEC, launched the Innocence Lost National Initiative. This combined effort was aimed at addressing the growing problem of domestic sex trafficking of children in the United States. To date, more than 4800 children have been rescued. Investigations have successfully led to the conviction of more than 2000 pimps, madams, and their associates who exploit children through prostitution. These convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple life sentences and the seizure of real property, vehicles, and monetary assets [5]. Presented here is a list of major cases:
There are several federal government statutes relating to crimes against children:
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