The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a pioneering national public awareness and education campaign, Know2Protect, aimed at combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The campaign seeks to collaborate with private and public partners to heighten awareness about protecting children from online predators.
According to a DHS news release, the program intends to educate parents and children on how to prevent abuse both online and offline. It will also provide a list of resources that survivors can use to seek help. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received over 36 million reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation and abuse in 2023, representing a 360% increase from the number received a decade ago. The 2023 WeProtect Global Threat Assessment indicates that child-based sexual abuse material has risen by 87% over the last five years.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas stated, "All of us, working together, must protect our children from the heinous and growing crime of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The tragic reality is that as young people spend more time online, predators around the world increasingly target them through manipulation and deceit." He further added that Know2Protect is a unique national initiative designed to raise public awareness and prevent these horrific crimes from happening in the first place. Mayorkas emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and targeted trainings in raising awareness, educating the public, identifying victims, providing support, and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The news release also noted that the Know2Protect.gov website is already available for parents and children to visit. Furthermore, the campaign will be accessible online in 25 media markets while physical billboards will be displayed across the country.
Kate Kennedy, Know2Protect Campaign Director said: "The best way to keep kids safe online is to provide helpful information where they are: on social media and online gaming platforms, through clubs, sporting events, and organizations. By partnering with a range of companies to raise awareness and disseminate educational messaging, we are keeping kids safe from online predators." Kennedy expressed gratitude for all partners who share a commitment to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse, thereby ensuring children's safety.
