On December 1, 2020, Constable Chris Jones spoke to the Magnolia Rotary Club Membership about the problem of sex crimes against children. Pictured above is Constable Chris Jones.
Chris told everyone how he has personally caught a child predator by posing online as a teenager and agreeing to meet the predator. The predator had even promised to bring kolaches and the kolaches were in the car when they arrested the predator. Chris also pointed out that most predators confess as if they fully expected to get caught.
Chris then spoke about the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) which serves as an information clearinghouse and national resource center on issues related to victims, missing and exploited children and operates a national toll-free hotline (https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/programs/national-center-missing-and-exploited-children). His office makes use of the NCMEC's ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Program Task Force which helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. This help encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education. Chris pointed out that ICAC was initially started because of the father of Adam Walsh who was abducted in 1981 and later found dead. Adam Walsh's father also was also responsible for the "America's Most Wanted" TV program to help make sure other children might be spared the fate the befell Adam Walsh.
Chris then presented a slide show that gave some more info about the ICAC Program:
- A national network of 61 coordinated task forces.
- Represents over 3,000 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
- Fights the sexual exploitation of children online.
- It is against the law to possess, promote & produce child pornography.
- It is against the law to solicit a minor online.
- It does investigations by either cyber tips or by setting a trap for predators.
Chris then pointed out that victims:
- Are mostly girls, but 25% are boys.
- Are of the ages 13 to 15.
- Have a history of physical or sexual abuse.
- Have a pattern of risky behavior.
Chris the pointed out that predators:
- Are mostly men, age 26 or older.
- Usually don't abduct because they don't have to
- Isolate the victims from family and friends
Chris then showed two videos where they showed how easily it is to get a kid to get into a car with a stranger by offering them candy are other items kids might want.
Chris then told everyone that there are over 750,000 registered child predators in the United States and parents really need to discuss the dangers of sexual predators to them and hope their kids take it to heart. Some signs of cyber grooming over the internet are:
- Receiving gifts in the mail such as cell phones, web cams, or bus tickets.
- Kids calling unknown numbers.
- Rejecting family & friends to spend more time online.
Chris then pointed out the number of social media apps that are potentially dangerous for our children (see below):
Chris pointed out that the 14 dangerous apps that parents should know about are (see below):
Chris also showed a slide of sneaky teen texting codes (see below):
Finally, Chris showed the following NCMEC hotline:
Chis then told everyone that if anyone knows about a situation where a child appears to be in danger, to please contact his office so they can investigate.
A photo of the meeting attendees can be seen below:
