FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OPA

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2006 (202) 514-2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV TDD (202) 514-1888

Attorney General Gonzales Visits

Delaware County
Internet Crimes Against Children Task
Force
PHILADELPHIA – Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today toured the
Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in
Philadelphia. As part of the visit, Attorney General Gonzales met with members of
the task force to discuss the importance of protecting children from online sexual
exploitation.

The ICAC Task Force Program was created to help state and local law enforcement
agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use Internet, online
communication systems or other computer technology to sexually exploit children.
Each ICAC Task Force works with state and local law enforcement agencies to
develop an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases by
assisting with forensic and investigative components, providing training and
technical assistance, victim services and community education. There are currently
46 ICAC Task Forces nationwide.

“The ICAC Task Forces are critical to our nation’s effort to safeguard young people
from online victimization and abuse,” said Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.
“As a father and as the chief law enforcement officer, I care deeply about these
issues, and I've made protecting our children a priority for the Justice Department.
We’re proud to partner with and continue supporting the ICAC Task Forces.”

In 2006, the Delaware County ICAC Task Force has handled 680 complaints
resulting in 56 arrests. Additionally, from January 2000 to December 2006, the
Delaware County ICAC Task Force has opened more than 2,500 cases of
investigative interests. Of those cases, 619 were travelers, 128 were online
enticement, and 1,806 were peer-to-peer investigations involving the possession and
distribution of graphic child pornography. These investigations ultimately resulted in
306 arrests, the seizure and forensic examinations of 1,318 electronic media
involving crimes against children, the serving of 356 subpoenas, 1,695 court orders
and 811 search warrants. Additionally, since January 2000, the Delaware County
ICAC Task Force has referred 113 cases to federal law enforcement, 433 to local
law enforcement and 336 to the state.

An important part of the ICAC Task Force mission is to educate the local
community on the dangers of online predators. Since January 2000, the Delaware
County ICAC Task Force has provided over 367 Internet Safety Presentations to
Schools, Parent Teacher Associations and Community Groups reaching over 33,200
individuals. In 2006 alone, members of the ICAC Task Force gave more than 150
presentations to more than 19,000 educators, students, community leaders and
parents.

Attorney General Gonzales visited Philadelphia to promote Project Safe Childhood

(PSC), the Department’s ongoing initiative designed to protect children from sexual
abuse and exploitation through the Internet. Established by Attorney General
Gonzales in February 2006, PSC is intended to help law enforcement and
community leaders develop a coordinated strategy to prevent, investigate and
prosecute sexual predators, abusers and pornographers who target children. For
more information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat the online
sexual exploitation of children, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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