Justice System

Information on internet crimes against children and the prevention of such crimes can be located on the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program page and the Internet Safety Special Feature section of our website.

In response to the threat of computer-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes committed against children, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) implemented the Project Safe Childhood (PSC) initiative. Additionally, developed through funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force was created to help federal, state and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children.

Additionally, in April 2016, the DOJ released the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction. This report to Congress details national efforts to address child exploitation, including online exploitation; provides a threat assessment of the nature and scope of the problem; lays out plans for future investigations and prosecutions, outreach and education, victim services, and policy initiatives; addresses child exploitation in Indian Country; and offers statistics and research on the topic.

For additional information, visit the Internet Safety Special Feature on our website.

How Many Juveniles are Involved in Prostitution in the U.S.?, a publication produced by the Crimes Against Children Research Center provides information on why data are lacking regarding youth prostitution. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) publication, Prostitution of Juveniles: Patterns From NIBRS provides data about a limited number of cases from the 76 agencies in 13 states that are represented in the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Also see Exploring the Role of the Internet in Juvenile Prostitution Cases Coming to the Attention of Law Enforcement.