Category
Child Exploitation
Our Rescue lauds the passage and signing of the Renewed Hope Act, a significant milestone in the fight against online child sexual exploitation. WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 16, 2026 – Spearheaded by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and supported by child protection experts including Tim Tebow Foundation, this new legislation makes…
The passage and signing of the Renewed Hope Act marks a significant milestone in the fight against online child sexual exploitation. Spearheaded by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and supported by child protection experts including Tim Tebow Foundation, this new legislation makes an historic investment into Victim Identification, a critical step in the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. President Trump signed a legislative…
By Amy Bruins, Vice President of Community Impact at Our Rescue Grooming rarely announces itself. It often begins quietly—with attention, encouragement, shared interests, or support—long before boundaries are crossed or risks are recognized. Because grooming is a deliberate, relationship-based process rather than a single event, it can unfold anywhere children and young people communicate or…
By Jackie Block Goldstein, LSW, Vice President for Survivor Care at Our Rescue, and John Trenary Vice President of Cyber at Our Rescue Disclaimer: This content is provided for educational purposes only. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact 9-1-1 or your local authorities. Raising kids in today’s digital environment is no easy feat. In addition…
By the end of this article, you will understand what online child sexual exploitation is, how it happens, how to recognize the warning signs, what to do if you suspect it, and – most of all – how to prevent it in the first place. For many kids, summer marks the start of freedom: less structure, more time with friends, and greater independence…
By Jackie Block Goldstein, LSW, Vice President for Survivor Care at Our Rescue, and John Trenary Vice President of Cyber at Our Rescue In early 2026, separate juries in California and New Mexico found two popular social media companies liable for contributing to the mental health crisis among children. The landmark verdicts confirmed what many families…
By Renata Parras, General Counsel, Our Rescue In addition to leading Our Rescue’s Legal team, Renata builds strategic partnerships with NGOs, technology companies, law enforcement, and industrial sectors. She brings more than 15 years of experience advising on human rights, human trafficking, social impact, cross border risk, and cross-sector collaboration. Previously, she served as ESG and Pro…
This year, Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Bandit continued to make an extraordinary impact alongside his handler and law enforcement in Nevada and the Tahoe region. Bandit’s work has supported multiple investigations involving sexual crimes against children and major criminal activity, helping officers locate digital evidence that might otherwise remain hidden. Across northern…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept or a futuristic tool reserved for tech labs and movies. It’s here, embedded in everyday life, accelerating innovation across industries, and reshaping how people learn, work, and connect. And, like many transformative technologies before it, AI is neither inherently good nor…
In a recent Guardian interview, actress Mara Wilson, beloved for her work as a child actress in movies such as “Matilda,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” shared a modern horror story. She discovered that her likeness when she was a child had been used to create AI-generated child sexual abuse material (AIG-CSAM). Her story…
This January 11, for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Our Rescue hosted a free webinar titled “The Digital White Van,” with experts from DHS’s Blue Campaign, Know2Protect, Yahoo Security Engineers, SEARCH and Our Rescue, including a survivor of sex trafficking. January 11th reminds…
Every investigator has cases they’ll never forget, and for John Trenary, that landmark case involved someone he describes as “the most insidious he’s ever encountered” during his years as a cyber crime detective with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon. The suspect, John…
The online world your children explore every day is not a playground, it’s a landscape of evolving threats. Just six months into 2025, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) released data showing a significant increase in reports related to online enticement, financial sextortion, AI-enabled exploitation, and child sex trafficking. Importantly, NCMEC has noted…
When we think about terrorism, we picture threats aimed at political ideologies or mass casualty attacks. But a new extremist threat is emerging, and it is aimed at our children with the intent to exploit. This threat is a group called 764, a decentralized terrorist child exploitation network that U.S. law enforcement has described as a highest-priority terrorism threat. Unlike other terrorist networks, 764 does not target…
In North Dakota, a case that began several years ago finally reached its conclusion this week. A former school principal, someone who families once trusted to guide and protect their children, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for the abuse of a child. The details that emerged during the investigation…
The Alarming Rise of AI-Generated Child Abuse Material Artificial intelligence has transformed countless industries, but criminals now exploit AI technology to create devastating new forms of child sexual abuse. In comparison to traditional CSAM, AI CSAM are sexually explicit images of children, created all or in part by Artificial Intelligence.
When most parents picture online predators, they imagine shadowy figures lurking in chat rooms, deceiving children about their age and identity. This perception, while understandable, is dangerously inaccurate. The reality is far more sophisticated and psychologically complex than the “stranger danger” narrative suggests. Understanding the true psychology behind online predators…
A single detective sits before a sea of computer screens and media servers, surrounded by stacks of case files and hard drives, all while chipping away at a backlog that will take months—if not years—to clear. Each drive holds horrific digital evidence of child exploitation. The thousands of files represent…
This holiday season, children should be safe. Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 U.S. states. In 2024, the CyberTipline received 20.5 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. To combat these crimes and fuel the mission during this crucial season of giving, Our Rescue is launching Operation Giving Tree, offering you a chance to directly strengthen the fight…
In two separate cases in South Georgia, law enforcement agencies utilized digital forensic equipment donated by Our Rescue to investigate and arrest men accused of sexual crimes against minors. The first case involved a former teacher and coach in the Lowndes County School System. Earlier this year, the…
Last Friday, November 14, Our Rescue celebrated a landmark moment: sponsoring our largest-ever graduation class of Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s with 14 new partnerships. Since our first ESD K9 was deployed back in 2017, we have seen the immense impact these incredible dogs have in the fight against child sexual exploitation. In fact, in 2025, our ESD K9s have achieved an…
“For me, everything is timing,” said Agent Laurel Sexton of the Central Arkansas Drug Task Force. For investigators working sex trafficking and child exploitation cases, every second is critical, especially when children are waiting to be found and offenders are walking free. The reality is that many cases hinge on…
The fight against online child sexual exploitation is evolving rapidly. Derek Benner, CEO of Our Rescue, sat down with Mike Prado, leader of the DHS Cyber Crimes Center (C3), to discuss technology, law enforcement, and prevention strategies. Derek Benner: Mike, you’re in your role, you’re not only looking ahead down…
Hear directly from the men and women dedicating their lives to protecting the vulnerable At Our Rescue, we proudly empower and support the heroic work of law enforcement both domestically and internationally. Across the U.S., digital forensic units and police agencies play a critical role in the fight against child…
Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Enzo graduated from the Jordan Detection K9 Program in June 2025 and immediately went to work with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois. Within weeks, K9 Enzo and his handler Detective Alexis Sciarrone assisted in major child exploitation investigations, helping uncover hidden devices…
A friendly, lap-loving Lab might not look like a cutting-edge crime-fighter—but don’t be fooled. Behind the wagging tail and soft eyes is a powerful partner in the fight against child exploitation and trafficking. Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s are expertly trained police dogs that use their incredible sense of smell…
When Our Rescue CEO Derek Benner sat down with Mike Prado, Deputy Assistant Director of Homeland Security Investigations’ Cyber Crimes Center, or C3, their conversation marked more than a reunion. The two have been allies in the fight against child exploitation for more than a decade, first as colleagues at…
Authorities in York County, Pennsylvania, say 22-year-old Luke Teipel collected dozens of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files— some real, and others generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Luke is now facing 33 felony counts of possession of CSAM. This is the first case of its kind in…
The Digital Predator Revolution: When Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Weapon The digital landscape has fundamentally shifted, and criminals now wield artificial intelligence (AI) as their newest weapon against vulnerable children and families. Within AI crimes, AI sextortion scam represents one of the most insidious forms of online exploitation, where cybercriminals…
The digital age has transformed childhood, bringing unprecedented opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection. However, this same technology has created new pathways for predators to exploit vulnerable children. Online grooming has emerged as an easy gateway for child sexual exploitation, with devastating consequences that extend far beyond the digital realm.
What is ICAC? The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program represents one of the most comprehensive law enforcement initiatives in the United States, specifically designed to combat online child exploitation and internet crimes targeting minors. This national network coordinates efforts between federal agencies, state authorities, and local law…
If there’s one thing I’ve witnessed over the years during my work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and now at my current role as CEO of Our Rescue, it’s the realization that the people who dedicate their lives to fighting child sexual exploitation are real life heroes. Among…
Two young Colombian women, ages 21 and 22, thought they were leaving home for stable jobs in a textile factory in Peru. But instead of opportunity, they walked into the hands of a violent trafficking network. As soon as they arrived in Lima, their documents were taken, their physical appearances…
In today’s digital world, kids are online earlier and more often than ever before. A recent report from Common Sense Media found that by age 4, more than half of children have their own tablet, and nearly one in four have their…
We are raising a generation of children in a world more connected and complex than before in an ever-evolving digital maze. From toddlers swiping tablets, tweens in group chats, and teens navigating TikTok trends, our kids are growing up in the new wild west. This digital frontier—rooted in smartphones, social…
Protecting Children in the Digital Age Every child deserves to grow up free from exploitation and harm—both offline and online. At Our Rescue, we’re committed to creating a world where children can safely navigate digital spaces without falling prey to those who would exploit them. The fight against trafficking and…
A Q&A with two detectives on the frontlines of this growing crime ARLINGTON, Texas — The crime of online sextortion is surging across the nation, increasingly targeting teenage boys and in some tragic cases, the young victims have taken their own lives after being blackmailed with compromising…
Allow me to introduce myself. I am the SVP of Marketing at Our Rescue. It is my job to help share stories of the vital work Our Rescue is doing, alongside our partners. I recently read an article that kept me awake long after I shut…
Daily Wire Reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo Highlights Our Rescue CEO Tammy Lee in Coverage of Sextortion Crisis A devastating trend is quietly claiming the lives of young boys across the United States: online sextortion. A recent Daily Wire article and Morning Wire podcast…
Understanding CSAM: Definition and Terminology Child sexual abuse material (CSAM), commonly known as child pornography, refers to any form of media that depicts the sexual exploitation or sexual abuse of children. This can include images, videos, or even live streams that show minors being sexually abused or exploited. The term…
Earlier this month, a family in Thailand made a devastating discovery — a teacher was sexually abusing their nine-year-old son. The child revealed the teacher was coercing him into performing explicit acts, which the teacher filmed and uploaded online. His parents immediately reported the crime to the Cyber Crime Investigation…
In today’s world, most teens and children are always looking at a screen—particularly online apps, games, or video-sharing platforms. But just because an app or platform is marketed to kids, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. Parents and guardians need to research apps, looking at factors such as: Data collection: Companies…
Each year, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), a leading non-profit organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, publishes the Dirty Dozen List. It identifies 12 “mainstream contributors” who they find to be facilitating, enabling, or profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation. Here are…
The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (KOSPA) is a comprehensive bill that’s designed to better protect minors from sexual exploitation, violence, and other online dangers. KOSPA was formed after two separate bills – the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA…
After people learn about human trafficking and the evil that exists in the world, one of the most common questions we get asked at OUR Rescue is, “How do I protect my kids?”
You can take charge of you and your family’s online safety by taking simple measures online. We have collected some simple steps to secure your accounts - learn more today.
Knowing how to spot a fake profile can go far in protecting you and your loved ones against online exploitation.
The most effective way to stop these criminals is by preventing young people from becoming victims.