SEARCH 2022 Internet Crimes Against Children National Training and Technical Assistance Program

The proposed project will expand upon SEARCH’s multidimensional strategy to provide ICAC investigators, examiners, and prosecutors with training to combat technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation. The training component will encompass several core deliverables, including hands-on, laboratory-based training; web-based, self-paced training; webinars; and conference presentations. A longer-term strategic component to the project will evaluate training and technical assistance, to determine practices that other ICAC Task Forces across the country can replicate.
 

In addition, the project will provide for continuous technical assistance to ICAC Task Force members, forensic examiners, and prosecutors throughout the duration of the 15-month project via SEARCH’s well-established web-based national technical assistance program.
 

The expected outcomes of this project include providing much-needed resources to address the challenges caused by criminals’ increased use of technology, as well as the rapid evolution of digital devices used in criminal activity, particularly to exploit children. It will also provide law enforcement with the necessary tools, expertise, and skill sets to combat crimes with digital evidence through a comprehensive program of training and technical assistance. Moreover, this project will increase the overall capacity to train ICAC investigators, forensic examiners, and prosecutors nationally.