The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 1II. A GRAVE THREAT TO A PRECIOUS RESOURCE: AN ASSESSMENTOF CURRENT CHILD EXPLOITATION THREATS .................................................... 8A. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY— IMAGES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ......................... 81. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES PRESENT A REAL THREAT TO CHILDREN............................ 9 2. CHILD PORNOGRAPHERS ARE INCREASING THEIR EFFORTS TO AVOID BEING IDENTIFIED.... 23 3. ORGANIZED CRIMINAL GROUPS ARE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. ....................................................................................................... 25 4. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE FOCUSING ON FACTORS THAT MAY HELP PREDICT CHILD PORNOGRAPHERS WHO POSE A GREATER RISK TO CHILDREN. ............................................. 27 B. ONLINE ENTICEMENT .................................................................................................. 291. ONLINE ENTICEMENT COMPLAINTS ARE INCREASING, DRAWING MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES INTO COMPLEX AND TIME-CONSUMING INVESTIGATIONS. ............................... 30 2. ONLINE PREDATORS DEMONSTRATE GREAT PATIENCE IN MANIPULATING CHILDREN INTO VULNERABLE SITUATIONS.................................................................................................. 30 C. THE DOMESTIC PROSTITUTION OF CHILDREN .................................................. 311. PIMPS PREY ON VULNERABLE CHILDREN, MANIPULATING THEM AND THEN TRAPPING THEM IN CHILD PROSTITUTION. .................................................................................................... 31 2. THERE IS STEADY DEMAND AND PROFIT IN THE PROSTITUTION OF CHILDREN..................... 32 3. CHILD VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION—THE VICTIMS OF COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION—ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED THAN ARE THE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKERS OR CLIENT SEX OFFENDERS. ......................................................................... 34 4. CHILD VICTIMS OF PROSTITUTION SUFFER EXTREME FORMS OF EXPLOITATION AND OFTEN ARE UNABLE, EVEN IF RESCUED, TO PERMANENTLY ESCAPE THE INFLUENCE OF TRAFFICKERS. .................................................................................................................... 35 D. CHILD SEX TOURISM..................................................................................................... 361. U.S. CITIZENS ACCOUNT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD SEX TOURISTS AND THEIR NUMBERS ARE GROWING. ................................................................................. 36 2. CHILD SEX TOURISTS OFTEN ENGAGE IN MANY FORMS OF CHILD EXPLOITATION, CAUSINGEXTREME AND LASTING DAMAGE TO VICTIMS. ................................................................... 37 3. INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING AMERICAN CHILD SEX TOURISTS IS VERY DIFFICULT;HOWEVER, A CHANGE IN CHILD EXPLOITATION LAWS HAS AIDED PROSECUTORS................ 37 E. CHILD EXPLOITATION IN INDIAN COUNTRY ....................................................... 38III. THE NATION’S APPROACH TO COMBATTING CHILD EXPLOITATION ........ 41A. A REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S OFFICES INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT TO PREVENT, INVESTIGATE, AND PROSECUTE CHILD EXPLOITATION CRIMES .............................................................................................. 41 1. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL................................................................... 42 2. THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION........................................................................ 42 3. UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE ................................................................................ 46 i