Why the Digital Haven Project is Needed
The DHP & Law Enforcement: Uniting to Protect Futures and Combat Child Exploitation
Internet Crimes Against Children
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC) 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.
The program was developed in 1998, in response to an ever-increasing number of children and teenagers using the Internet, an ever-increasing number of online images depicting child sexual abuse, and an ever-increasing amount of online activity by people seeking to contact and exploit children and teens. ​
Source: OJJDP
US Total Cases Reported vs Investigated vs Arrests 2023
ICAC Budgets
(Internet Crimes Against Children)
2023 Federal ICAC Funding Overview
Total Funds: $40,000,000 (Compared to $207,000,000 for the National Endowment for the Arts)
Allocation Breakdown:​
184,700 Cases Investigated: $217 per investigation
1,132,270 Cases Reported: $35 per case allocated
10,800 Arrests: $3,704 per arrest allocated
Context:
Average Hourly Pay of a Criminal Investigator in Texas (2023): $39.50 per hour
Funding Insight: The Federal Government can fund less than one hour of an ICAC investigation.
ICAC is the only forensic investigation that hasn't been outsourced to civilian organizations due to a lack of resources.
This underscores the urgent need to outsource ICAC investigations, which should be a priority given the insufficient funding available for government agencies.