Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
The Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) is part of a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing over 3,500 federal, state, and local law enforcement, and prosecutorial agencies. VT-ICAC is continuously engaged in proactive and reactive investigations, conducting digital forensic examinations, providing safety education, and conducting prosecutions of persons involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the internet. VT-ICAC serves as an investigative resource for all Vermont communities and agencies.
The National ICAC Task Force Program was created to help State and local enforcement agencies enhance their investigative response to offenders who use the internet, online communications systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children. The program is currently composed of 61 regional Task Force agencies and is funded by the United States Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
We dedicate our professional lives to keeping our children safe and preparing them for life in a digital world.
ICAC PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The primary purpose of VT-ICAC is to prevent the victimization and exploitation of children by persons using computers, technology or the internet.
VT-ICAC HISTORY
In October 1998, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) began funding 10 sites around the country for the operation of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. Between 1998 and 2007, the Northern New England Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont as one of these original ten Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces in the country. In 2008, Vermont became independent of the Northern New England Task Force and was awarded stand-alone funding which was utilized to form the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (VT-ICAC). The Burlington Police Department was the lead agency for VT-ICAC from 2008 to September of 2015. The Vermont Office of Attorney General had been an affiliate agency and historically provided prosecutorial and legal support to the VT-ICAC. Beginning in 2012, the Vermont Office of Attorney General provided the first full time investigators dedicated to VT-ICAC cases. The Vermont Office of Attorney General began managing all cybertipline reports for the state and conducting statewide proactive and reactive investigations. The Burlington Police Department along with key law enforcement partners decided to transition from a local agency to a statewide agency to coordinate Vermont Operations for VT-ICAC. The Vermont Office of Attorney General was unanimously supported to take on the role as the new lead agency for VT-ICAC. The Vermont Office of Attorney General became the lead agency for VT-ICAC in October of 2015
VT-ICAC ORGANIZATION
Internet crimes against children are a growing problem and represent a serious threat to the children of Vermont. To address this threat, it is critical that law enforcement agencies cooperate with each other. To accomplish this goal, the Vermont Office of Attorney General, as lead agency, has organized all Vermont agencies into a single statewide network to include all participating local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. These affiliate agencies are provided specialized training and equipment. Unlike conventional Task Forces, the affiliate agencies are not required to send members to a central location and investigate crime anywhere in the state. Rather, they may remain in their respective jurisdictions to conduct the coordinated investigations, accept and make case referrals, perform digital forensic examinations and provide internet safety education and awareness presentations. The VT-ICAC Commander has overall responsibility of managing the Task Force. The current VT-ICAC Task Force Commander is: Detective Matthew Raymond of the Vermont Office of Attorney General.
Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC)