INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

The FY 1998 Justice Appropriations Act, Public Law 105-119 authorized $2.4 million to OJJDP to stimulate the creation of "State and local law enforcement cyber units to investigate childsexual exploitation" by offenders using the Internet or online communications technology. OJJDP developed the ICAC Task Force Program to assist State and local law enforcement agencies to acquire the necessary knowledge, equipment, and personnel resources to prevent, interdict, or investigate ICAC offenses.

In FY 1998, ten agencies (1st Tier) received ICAC Task Force cooperative agreements. Subsequent annual funding has allowed for the expansion of the ICAC program to grow to 39 Task Forces. Under this program, these agencies serve as regional sources of prevention, education, and investigative expertise to provide assistance to parents, teachers, law enforcement, and other professionals working on child victimization issues.

With funding provided by the Fiscal Year 2004 Appropriations Act provided to OJJDP funds, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will continue its multi-agency, multi- disciplinary response to ICAC offenses that is composed of federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and child welfare organizations to: 1) conduct reactive and proactive ICAC investigations; 2) develop a prevention education program; 3) establish a case management system; 4) develop standardized protocol for interagency referrals; and 5) increase forensic and investigative capacity through the acquisition of specialized training and equipment.

CA/CF