Resources
Putting an end to child pornography online means putting an end to the sexual abuse of children. There are many contributing factors that enable this global illegal industry to continue. As parents and guardians it is important to educate ourselves so that we can help our children to stay safe online and in real life from sexual predation. Stopping the illegal practice of sexually exploiting children requires significant efforts by lawmakers, law enforcement, web innovators, parents, guardians and individuals worldwide. This is a select list of organizations that provide research, education and assistance for victims, parents and children.
REPORT:
Cyber Tipline: The CyberTipline is a reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation, online enticement, molestation, sex tourism, prostitution of minors and unsolicited obscene material sent to a child.
EDUCATE:
The National Sex Offender Registry Public Website: The online registry, coordinated by the Department of Justice, is a cooperative effort between the state agencies hosting public sexual offender registries and the federal government. This web site is a search tool allowing a user to submit a single national query to obtain information about sex offenders through a number of search options. The New York State Sex Offender Registry is managed by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
iKeepSafe: IKeepSafe gives parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools which empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the Internet. They have age appropriate programs for children of all ages.
Netsmartz.org: The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet.
NetSmartz411.com
Netsmartz411 is a parent and guardians online resource for learning about Internet safety, computers, and the Web where you can easily search for answers to your questions about the online world.
WiredSafety: WiredSafety provides help, information, and education to Internet and mobile device users of all ages, focusing on children, tweens, and teens.
Your Child’s D.I.G.I.T.A.L. Life is a presentation for parents on online safety created by the Attorney General's Office in collaboration with The NetSmartz Workshop. To arrange for a presentation by an Attorney General representative in your community, please call (212) 416-6044.
RESEARCH:
Crimes against Children Research Center (CCRC): The center's mission is to combat crimes against children by providing high-quality research and statistics to the public, policy makers, law enforcement personnel, and other child welfare practitioners. See the center's report, Online "Predators" and their Victims: Myths, Realities and Implications for Prevention and Treatment, released February 2008.
Pew Internet & American Life Project: The Pew Internet Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Pew Internet explores the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and civic/political life. The Project is nonpartisan and takes no position on policy issues.
INITIATIVES:
FBI - Innocent Images Unit: The FBI’s Innocent Images Unit is responsible for the creation and implementation of national and international initiatives targeting those who use the Internet to sexually exploit defenseless children. The unit, housed in Calverton, Maryland, also works closely with and has a sizable contingent assigned to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.Innocence in Danger: IED is an international, non-profit association created by a group of citizens on 15 April 1999, at the initiative of the UNESCO Director-General, Federico Mayor, and under the presidency of Ms Homayra Sellier, in response to the recommendations of the UNESCO expert meeting convened in January 1999 on Sexual Abuse of Children, Child Pornography and Pedophilia on the Internet, in order to pursue the objectives of the Action Plan adopted by the experts to combat sexual abuse of children.