About The Issue

The Internet has grown into a critical resource for billions of people around the world; individuals who rely on the web to provide everything from a portal for social interaction, to shopping and entertainment, rather than up to the minute news reports. But, there is no disputing the fact that there are people who use the Internet to abuse and exploit children, and are therefore committing a crime. But, what might be confusing is how and why they do it. Many online predators have families, have good jobs, and are active in the community. These people know they are doing something “wrong”, but what they don’t know is this “wrong” is a federal offense.

They claim they never meant to hurt anyone, and didn’t realize they had become a predator.

Research is being done by leading sex offender investigators and members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to find out who these predators are. There is a fairly specific profile that is emerging that seems to fit most of these perpetrators, which includes the following traits:

  • Male
  • Caucasian
  • US Citizen with some college education
  • Has grown up on the Internet 

Investigators point out that they will sometimes catch perpetrators who do not fit those specific behaviors or characteristics listed above. But, one very simple commonality they all share is this: access to a computer.

At the time of their initial hearing, federal sex exploitation defendants possessed some of these key characteristics:

  • Median age – 39 (97% Male)
  • Over 50% had some college and or college degree
  • 78% had NO PRIOR FELONY CONVICTION

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, December 2007 

Investigators, prosecutors, victims and community advocates are joining forces to fight the growing trend of Internet abuse. As a result, the number of people being arrested, prosecuted, and convicted of exploiting minors online is growing. Recent statistics reflect the trend:

  • As of September 14, 2008, a total of 1,661 victims of child pornography crimes have been identified and many rescued, 911 of which since the launch of PSC.
  • In fiscal year 2007, U.S. Attorneys filed child exploitation cases against 2,218 suspects.
    • 26% increase compared with 2006
    • 95% of the defendants were convicted
    • Of those convicted, 97% were sentenced to prison
  • During fiscal year 2007, the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, in partnership with the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, developed and coordinated six nationwide investigations targeting the production, distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography by more than 7,000 individuals residing in the United States. Many of these leads are prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices throughout the nation.

Source: Project Safe Childhood Fact Sheet 

This project was supported by Grant No. 2007-JL-FX-K009 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document do not represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.