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Press
Release
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN COMMENDS
U.S. SENATE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF CYBERCRIME TREATY
Convention Will Improve International Cooperation in Fighting
Computer-Related Crimes
Washington, DC – August 4, 2006 – The National
Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) commends
the U.S. Senate for ratifying the Council of Europe’s Convention
on Cybercrime.
The Treaty, ratified on Thursday, August 3, requires international cooperation
among law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of
computer-related crimes. Traditionally these crimes, including child pornography,
digital copyright infringement, unauthorized access to a network, and
computer-related fraud and forgery among others, have been difficult to
combat because law enforcement agencies were bound by borders while Internet
criminals were not.
“The problem of Internet crimes against children demands international
commitment at the highest level,” said Ernie Allen, president and
CEO of NCMEC, “and we thank the Senate for ensuring the U.S. will
remain a leader in the global effort to protect our society, including
the most vulnerable members – our children,”
NCMEC has first-hand knowledge of the issues that the Treaty addresses
through their programs dealing with child pornography and other Internet
crimes against children. The organization operates the CyberTipline, a
congressionally-mandated reporting mechanism for sexual exploitation,
as well as training programs for law enforcement officers and prosecutors
in the investigation and prosecution of these crimes, both in the U.S.
and in other countries.
Child pornography has become a multi-billion dollar commercial enterprise,
and is among the fastest growing businesses on the Internet. New technology
has enabled child pornography to become easier and less expensive to produce.
Distribution on the Internet has facilitated instant access by thousands
and possibly millions of individuals throughout the world. Since its inception
in 1998, NCMEC’s CyberTipline has handled more than 400,000 reports
of child sexual exploitation, 90% of which are related to child pornography.
NCMEC praises Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN), Chairman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, for his dedication to the Treaty’s
ratification. The organization also commends U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist (R-TN) for his leadership that led to the ratification of the
Treaty.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that works in cooperation with the U.S.
Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting mechanism for
child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 408,700 leads. Since
its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more
than 122,600 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than
104,900 children. For more information about NCMEC, call its toll-free,
24 hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit its web site at www.missingkids.com.
CONTACT:
NCMEC
Communications Department
(703) 837-6111
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