David and Goliath

NY Times article, By JOSHUA BROCKMAN, Published: April 5, 2006
Child Sex as Internet Fare, Through Eyes of a Victim

The Courier-Journal,By James R. Carroll, Published: April 5, 2006
Congress hears Web sex victim
Whitfield leads inquiry into sexual exploitation

These articles suggest the sexual exploitation of children on the Internet, according to witnesses testifying before congress, is a $20 billion industry. Five of the US’s biggest Internet companies have pledged a total of $1,000,000 to fight child porn.

It reminds me of David and Goliath but not sure the outcome will be the same.

Animal Farm

Did the same ISP’s committed to stopping the abuse, financially profit indirectly from the trafficking of these images?

It seems to be analogous to closing the barn door after the animals got out. Better late then never.

Read more

Between the lines

If you look at the statistics and read between the lines, is the breakdown between a parent and child’s trust or communication the real issue?

NCMEC’s Online Victimization Report (bolded items). The italicized items are the between the line observations.

• One in five children online is sexually solicited.
  (80% of children online have not been sexually solicited)


• One in thirty-three received an aggressive sexual solicitation—a solicitor who asked to meet them somewhere; called them on the telephone; sent them regular mail, money, or gifts.
  (3% of those on-line have received an aggressive sexual solicitation)


• One in four had an unwanted exposure to pictures of naked people or people having sex in the last year.
  (75% have not had an unwanted exposure)


• About one quarter of the youth who encountered a sexual solicitation or approach told a parent.
  (75% of youth who encountered a sexual solicitation or approach did not tell a parent)


• Almost 40 percent of those reporting an unwanted exposure to sexual material told a parent or guardian.
  (60% of those reporting an unwanted exposure to sexual material never told a parent or guardian)

Crime & Punishment

These are some statistics from the FBI Crime UCR. Wouldn’t missing children (or even kidnapping in general) be considered a violent crime?

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program is a nationwide, cooperative statistical effort of more than 17,000 city, university and college, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies voluntarily reporting data on crimes brought to their attention. During 2004, law enforcement agencies active in the UCR Program represented 94.2 percent of the total population.

Crime in the United States
by Volume and Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants, 1985 - 2004

Violent crime-
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery Robbery rate
Aggravated assault
Property crime
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft

View table

The picture of Dorian Gray

Were you under the impression that a child’s photo could be aged instantly with a computer software program? According to this article, it involves much more then the use of age progression software.

However if you visit the the Oregon Museum for Science and Industry there is an Age Machine. It may strictly be for amusement or not accurate, but it suggests the technology might exist.

“…Come face to face with the reality that time changes your appearance. Sit at this computer station and record a black and white picture of your face. Then, using customized software, enter your current age and gender and watch your face “age” up to 25 years! (8-adult)…”

Not so prime numbers....

I was reading this article dated June 23, 2006 about a Springfield, MO based company Prime Inc., one of the nation's largest truckload carriers, and their announcement that it has joined the AMBER Alert Highway Network, an initiative to help recover abducted children.

In the bottom of the article, there is a blurb about the NCMEC….
“…Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 119,800 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 102,200 children….”

If they have assisted in 119,800 cases with 102,220 recoveries, wouldn’t the recovery rate percentage be 85% and not the 96% they claim?

How ready is your Police Department?

While I would applaud the efforts of the Searcy AR Police department to implement Policies and procedures, why did it take ten years?





Searcy police are ready for child abductions

“…During the program, Bright and Dillon learned through interactive exercises designed to illustrate steps involved in an AMBER Alert. Case studies of previous AMBER Alerts were examined and exercises designed to improve coordination between media and law enforcement were conducted.Amber Hagerman, 9, was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and later brutally murdered. An early warning system was conceived in 1996 as a memorial to her, and Dallas area broadcasters came up with the idea of using Emergency Alert System (EAS) equipment to rapidly relay child abduction information….”

Policies and procedures

How prepared is your community should a child go missing? Most of us mistakenly believe procedures and policies are in place.

In an article originally published Aug. 3, 2005 by JASON NARK, Courier-Post Staff CAMDEN he writes about three boys who died tragically in the trunk of an abandoned car.

Among the questions that arose after they were found were did the families of three Cramer Hill boys put police at a disadvantage by waiting more than three hours to report their disappearance? Was it solely the responsibility of law enforcement to look in the trunk of the vehicle?

In an article today, Thursday, June 22, 2006 by RENEE WINKLER, Courier-Post Staff CAMDEN

“.. Elba N. Cruz, the mother of Anibal Cruz, has filed suit against Camden City and County, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and even Cherry Hill Township, which provided a K-9 unit to help in the search for the boys.

It was in Cruz's Bergen Avenue yard the car was parked. She reportedly told police her son had a habit of pulling down the back seat of the Toyota Camry and crawling into the trunk while it was being driven. No one checked the trunk of the car until it was too late…”


To view pdf

Summer Solstice

Long day or bad day....


MySpace Tightens Age Restrictions
Effort To Curb Adult Predators Who Seek To Contact Teens

Bloggers Eye Topless Teacher
Tamara Hoover Is Fired When Topless Photos Of Her Show Up Online

Local Sheriff's Deputy Fired Over MySpace Profile

NCAA...stats..

North Carolina Amber Alerts statistics.

Few dispute the overall value of Amber Alerts. This article discusses the technology and a case that could have used it back in 1966. In the article there is a quote from Cathy Nahirny, who's been with the NCMEC for 16 years.

“…Between 1997 and 2005, 275 Amber Alerts were issued, Nahirny said. Of 338 children shown in those alerts, 335 were recovered; 322 of them were fine. Thirteen died…”

The question I would have is if you view juvenile statistics for North Carolina for the same period, you may wonder if enough Amber Alerts were issued as there were 64,465 missing juveniles over the same timeframe.

Hide and seek

Does this provide true protection for your children or is it an attempt to sell services to an otherwise untapped market? Will the next marketing concept be to ensure parents purchase a camera phone so the child can snap and send a photo of the abductor as well?

These are a couple services from Sprint and Verizon available for parents to monitor their children’s location via a wireless phone. It is important to note the phones need to be turned on, within specific coverage areas and in the child’s possession to be of value.How realistic is it to expect the child to still have the phone should they be abducted? If they were lost, and not missing, wouldn’t they just call their parents?

What is Sprint Family Locator?

Sprint Family Locator is an inexpensive way for families on the go to stay in constant touch. Mom, Dad or a trusted caregiver can locate loved ones without disturbing their activities, receive notification when a child enters or leaves a designated area, and quickly and easily send text messages to one or more family members.

What is Chaperone?

Chaperone provides a convenient and valuable service to help you determine the location of your child’s mobile phone from the Internet or from your mobile phone. When your children carry their Verizon Wireless phones with them while on the go, you can use the Chaperone Web Site or the Chaperone Get It Now® application to view their location information. Your child's location information will be displayed as a nearby address and on a detailed map.

An interesting article discusses some of the pros and cons of these offerings.

The Family that plays together....

Interesting way to educate families on the dangers of the internet.

“…..Qwest Communications and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) are working together to inform families about the dangers our youth face while using the Internet.

Recognizing the lack of parental awareness and the increasing risks to children, Qwest Communications has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to develop a comprehensive campaign to provide parents and guardians with the necessary resources to establish safer online practices for their families…”

If you attempt to learn more about available resources such as an Internet Glossary, you are redirected to the NetLingo site. At the bottom of the screen is a list of NetLingo Partners.





Credit Card Application? Prepaid Phone? Poker? Casinos? Gambling?

Two cents worth

This is an interesting article involving a murdered child in Indiana which discusses the issue of when to issue an Amber Alert.

Why are there 116 Amber Alert systems if there are only fifty states?

"...Each of the 116 Amber Alert systems throughout the country has its own rules for issuing notices, said Robert Hoever, director of special operations at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children..."

Why wouldn’t you issue an Amber Alert if family abductions represent the second largest category of missing children?

The Indiana system launched in 2002, does not typically allow alerts in child custody cases.

Weekend at Bernie’s…… (part III)

Perhaps MySpace.com should merge with one of the travel sites or luggage companies. New meaning to the term exchange student.

8 Simple Rules....not the tv show

ARE THERE WAYS TO PREVENT MY CHILD FROM BEING ABDUCTED?

"...You can also talk to your child about ways to prevent an abduction from happening. The FBI, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) offer these eight rules for your child's safety..."

Some more helpful tips from the CBS Cares website.

CBS Cares PSA's

CBS Cares is running several public service announcements concerning child abductions. This one provides some tips for WHAT IF AN ABDUCTOR APPROACHES MY CHILD?


“If someone tries to abduct your child, your child should resist every step of the way.”-Supervisory Special Agent Mick Fennerty of the FBI's Crimes Against Children Unit



GENERAL INFORMATION
"...It could happen in the time it takes to snap your fingers: Your child could disappear. In 1999, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency (OJJDP) reported that there were 58,200 non-family abductions. Fifty percent of children kidnapped in non-family abductions were taken from the street, in a vehicle, or from a park or wooded area. Many didn't know what to do. It happens too often and you can prevent it from happening to your child if you take the time to talk to them. In an interview with CBS Cares, Agent Fennerty of the FBI who specializes in investigating crimes against children, including child abduction cases, conveyed that it is never too early to start training your child to protect themselves from being abducted. Learn what your child should do in a dangerous situation, so you can teach them what to do to avoid being snatched and what to do if snatched! Know what they can do to save themselves. .."

HOW DO I PROTECT MY CHILD?

Missing Child Resources

The Missing Child Resources link is a list of some of the assistance available to you should your child go missing. It will periodically be updated, however please suggest any other sites.

Amber Alerts

The AMBER Plan was created in 1996 as a powerful legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, a bright little girl who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas.




How do AMBER Alerts work?

Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must first determine if the case meets the recommended criteria from the U.S. Department of Justice for activating an alert.
Guidance on Criteria for Issuing AMBER Alerts (PDF)

• There is reasonable belief by law enforcement an abduction has occurred
• The abduction is of a child age 17 years or younger
• The law-enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death
• There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child
• The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer

It is important to note that though it is suggested “…what began as a local effort in Dallas, Texas, has grown into a seamless system of AMBER Alert programs across the country…” it is at the discretion of local law enforcement if it should be issued and to each state as to whether it is valid across state lines.

http://www.amberalert.gov/