Joined by Waterloo Mayor Terry Kipping, Madigan applauded the commitment by Chief Joseph Brauer and Captain Suzanne Sweet of the Waterloo Police Department in using the equipment and training to help protect Metro East children from sexual predators. "As younger children become more frequent Internet users, the need to protect them from the dangers lurking on-line has increased," Madigan said.
According to a national survey of youth conducted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 34% of youth surveyed reported seeing sexually explicit material on-line, 9% of youth reported being harassed on-line and 13% of youth surveyed reported being solicited for sex on-line.
"We must be vigilant in protecting the children of Illinois from the threat of on-line predators," Madigan said. "This equipment will further enhance the ability to identify, arrest and prosecute sexual predators."
ICAC's goal is to identify, arrest and convict sex offenders who prey on children using computer technology - including the Internet. In the first six months of 2006, Illinois ICAC was responsible for the arrest of 34 individuals for crimes including child pornography, indecent solicitation of a child, sexual abuse and sexual assault.
As part of its work, ICAC acts as a statewide clearinghouse for receiving and investigating tips, including cybertips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Along with leading investigations, ICAC conducts forensic exams on computers and provides technical assistance to law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Additionally, Madigan's High Tech Crimes Bureau and ICAC provide internet safety trainings to parents and children in communities around the state.
"The ICAC Task Force and this grant are prime examples of how law enforcement at all levels -- federal, state, county and local -- are working together to deliver Internet crime fighting resources throughout the state," Madigan said.
