Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

The Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multi-agency group comprised of sworn federal, state and local law enforcement officials, local prosecution officials, local educators, private information technologists and mental health professionals throughout the State of Rhode Island. As a law enforcement-oriented task force, our primary goal is to protect children. The ICAC Task Force is charged with the prevention, interdiction, investigation and prosecution of individuals who use the Internet to exploit children. This task force also seeks to combat crimes against children through the Internet by the vigorous investigation and prosecution of offenders.

The ICAC Task Force's chief responsibility is to conduct investigations involving Internet-driven crimes against children such as trafficking in child pornography and on-line luring. In doing so, the ICAC Task Force works closely with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other State and Federal agencies in combating online child predation and other computer-facilitated crimes that target children. The Task Force is also responsible for providing awareness-related outreach services on the vulnerabilities of children to cyber crime, and the impact of technology-driven crimes on young people.

The Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force began operations in April 2003, and has been in continuous operation since that time. The ICAC Task Force Program was created by the Department of Justice 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. The program also promotes community education in the area of Internet Safety.