Within the FY 1998 Justice Appropriations Act Congress provided $2.4 million to OJJDP create the Internet Crimes Against Children Program.
In the Conference report that year specific language provided that OJJDP 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 45 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 for Fiscal Year 2007, to OJJDP, the Search Group Inc. will continue to provide the ICAC Task Forces with training related to the investigation of child sexual exploitation using computer technology. SEARCH will also continue to provide ICAC Task Forces on-site and telephonic technical assistance upon request to improve and enhance response and reaction to investigations of child online exploitation. CA/CF
