MINNEAPOLIS, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Our Rescue formally announces the launch of the first-ever program called "ICAC Connect," designed to support North American Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces by providing advanced investigative tools, data analytics, ICAC Officer Training Scholarships, and community-driven funding to combat online child exploitation, particularly CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material).
CSAM, often referred to as child pornography, is one of the fastest-growing forms of online sexual exploitation—and the stakes are rising. In a recent Our Rescue's article "Sounding the Alarm", experts call for immediate action to support law enforcement. In the article, Sgt. Tarik Muslimovic and his team in the Human Exploitation Trafficking Unit in Arlington, TX, report that approximately 90 percent of CSAM cases originate from cyber tips, with up to 100 tips per month at his department alone. Even after filtering out cases that cannot be prosecuted, more than 50 cases remain each month—far exceeding the agency's capacity to investigate each one.
"ICAC Task Forces are incredibly efficient, but they're increasingly outmatched by the volume of cases, limited funding, and the technological complexity of these crimes," said Derek Benner, CEO of Our Rescue. "ICAC Connect exists to close that gap. This is about empowering those who protect children every single day."
ICAC Connect directly provides:
- Technology and forensic tools for digital investigations
- Data analytics and intelligence support
- ICAC Officer Training Scholarships
- Rapid response grants for urgent resource needs
- Local fundraising partnerships to build sustainable, long-term impact
"These crimes are happening right here in the U.S. We must focus our support on equipping our heroes to protect our children," said Benner. "Fighting online exploitation requires both innovation and collaboration."
Detective Corporal Christopher Smith of the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit reinforced the need: "It's critically important to get help for our agency and agencies just like mine. We're doing our best to process tips as fast as we can, but we need more investigators, support personnel, software, subscriptions, and training."
ICAC Connect is a strategic priority for Our Rescue and will expand throughout 2025. The program complements Our Rescue's existing ESD K9 Program, which supports law enforcement with Electronic Storage Detection dogs to uncover hidden digital evidence.
This initiative reflects Our Rescue's increasing focus on supporting domestic law enforcement, ensuring U.S. based agencies have the resources and tools they need to fight child exploitation right here at home. Our Rescue's ICAC CONNECT program is a priority for 2025. Learn how you or your organization can sponsor a local task force, donate urgently needed resources, or raise awareness in your community.
URL: www.ourrescue.org/icac-connect
Video: https://youtu.be/joPWGfQAWa4
About Our Rescue
Our Rescue is a global non-governmental organization on a mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation by empowering survivors to reclaim their lives and thrive on their healing journey. The organization focuses on education toward prevention, supports law enforcement in rescuing survivors and prosecuting perpetrators, and provides trauma-informed survivor care services. Our Rescue operates in the U.S. and Internationally. Learn more at www.ourrescue.org.
SOURCE Our Rescue
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