Overview[]
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) was created by the U.S. Department of Justice pursuant to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to help State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. It helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases. This help encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education.
The program is currently composed of 61 regional Task Force agencies and is funded and administered by the DOJ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). ICAC Task Force agencies engage in investigations, forensic examinations, and prosecutions of Internet crimes against children.
ICAC program grants can be used to ensure that investigators receive specialized training and technological resources to combat Internet-related crimes. Additionally, ICAC task forces have been established to serve as sources of prevention, education, and forensic investigative assistance to those who work to address Internet crimes against children. ICAC’s objectives include:
- developing or expanding multiagency, multijurisdictional task forces that include representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and child protective services, among others;
- ensuring investigative capacity by properly equipping and training ICAC task force investigators;
- developing and maintaining case management systems to document reported offenses and investigative results; and
- developing response protocols or memoranda of understanding to foster collaboration, information sharing, and service integration among public and private organizations to protect children from being sexually exploited.
A number of federal agencies are also involved in the ICAC Task Force Program through membership on various task force units and through participation on the ICAC Task Force Board. These partners include DOJ’s CEOS, FBI, the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).