Trinity Mount Ministries

Showing posts with label child abuse prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child abuse prevention. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Child Abuse Prevention: It’s everyone’s ’s Job

Written By: Andi Atkinson, UT Physicians 

For Child Abuse Prevention Month, learn how to spot signs of possible abuse and be the voice for a child.

Child abuse is a public health problem, with 1 in 7 children suffering from some form of abuse, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, those numbers may be even higher.

“Child abuse is definitely underreported,” said Michelle T. Ruda, MD, child abuse pediatrician with the UT Physicians CARE Clinic – Texas Medical Center and assistant professor of pediatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “This is why it’s everyone’s job to help prevent child abuse.”

Much of the responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of educators or health care professionals, but child abuse prevention needs to be a larger, community effort.

“Helping children is everyone’s responsibility — neighbors, church members, family members, everyone,” Ruda said. “Children often don’t have a voice, which is why it’s important for all of us to be more aware of the potential signs that abuse may be occurring.”

For Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, learn everything you need to know from this specialist.

Notice the signs

There are five different types of child abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, and medical.

Depending on the form of abuse, some indicators are physically evident while others are emotionally discreet. However, anything that is abnormal and suggests distress or suffering in a child is a sign.

The doctor shared some signs:

• Delayed development or not meeting childhood milestones

• Bruises and injuries that do not match with a child’s age and/or story

• A change in behavior (more anxiety, aggression, depression, hyperactivity, etc.)

• Socially withdrawn, lack of confidence and self-esteem, and/or loss of enthusiasm

• Poor hygiene

• Inadequate clothing for the weather

• Stealing or hoarding food, or stealing money for food

• Not wanting to leave school when it is over

• Frequent absences from school

• Avoiding certain people or situations

Start the conversation

If you suspect a child is being abused, start the uncomfortable conversation.

“Talk with the child and ask if they are okay. Ask open-ended questions,” Ruda said. “A child may not disclose anything for fear of retaliation or shame, but let the child know they can come to you.”

Also, reach out to the parents and speak to them in a sincere and caring manner.

“Talk with the parents, or parent, about what you are noticing and ask if you can help,” the expert said. “Friends, neighbors, or family members may be able to open the door for a child who needs help.”

If you are terribly concerned about a child’s safety and well-being, trust your instinct and report it immediately.

Understand the problem

Child abuse often happens in households where a parent is struggling with a problem, and the inability to cope transfers to a child.

“I don’t believe most parents wake up thinking, ‘I’m going to abuse my child today,’” Ruda said. “A parent might have been abused as a child. Another parent might have untreated mental health or substance abuse problems. Another might not have the support system or resources to adequately care for the family. These aren’t excuses to hurt a child,   but the reason isn’t always straightforward.”

One way to help a child is to refer a parent to the resources or services the family may need.

“A big part of our job here at the CARE clinic is to connect struggling parents with resources and services. Whether it’s counseling, food assistance, medical assistance, or another type of service Report the problem, helping the parent will often help the family and child,” Ruda said.

Report the problem

If you believe a child needs immediate assistance, do not hesitate to report it.

“Sometimes people don’t report child abuse because they’re afraid of causing more harm than good or breaking up a family. A child may be removed from the home until more information is known, but it’s important to trust the process,” Ruda said. “Child welfare agencies and specialists like myself aren’t trying to hurt parents or families. Oftentimes, with intervention and assistance, families can be strengthened and reunited.”

For more information on child abuse prevention, go to the CDC website. To report child abuse, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400.

Child abuse prevention: It’s everyone’s job – 1) Notice the signs. 2) Start the conversation. 3) Understand the problem. 4) Report the problem.

As the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, UT Physicians has locations across the Greater Houston area to serve the community. To schedule an appointment, call 888-4UT-DOCS.

Friday, December 11, 2020

Trinity Mount Ministries - CyberTipline - NCMEC - Report Abuse! 1-800-843-5678


Overview

NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

What Happens to Information in a CyberTip?

NCMEC staff review each tip and work to find a potential location for the incident reported so that it may be made available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency for possible investigation. We also use the information from our CyberTipline reports to help shape our prevention and safety messages.

Is Your Image Out There?

Get Support
One of the worst things about sextortion is feeling like you’re facing everything alone. But you have people who care for you and want to help. Reach out to them!
A trusted adult can offer advice, help you report, and help you deal with other issues. It could be your mom, dad, an aunt, a school counselor, or anyone you trust and are comfortable talking to. You can also “self report” by making a report on your own to the CyberTipline.
Don’t Give Up
Having a sexual exploitative image of yourself exposed online is a scary experience. It can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, but remember, others have been in the same situation as you – and they’ve overcome it. 

Learn the steps you can take to limit the spread of the content.


Thursday, August 6, 2020

Trinity Mount Ministries - CyberTipline - NCMEC - Report Abuse! 1-800-843-5678



Overview

NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

What Happens to Information in a CyberTip?

NCMEC staff review each tip and work to find a potential location for the incident reported so that it may be made available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency for possible investigation. We also use the information from our CyberTipline reports to help shape our prevention and safety messages.

Is Your Image Out There?

Get Support
One of the worst things about sextortion is feeling like you’re facing everything alone. But you have people who care for you and want to help. Reach out to them!
A trusted adult can offer advice, help you report, and help you deal with other issues. It could be your mom, dad, an aunt, a school counselor, or anyone you trust and are comfortable talking to. You can also “self report” by making a report on your own to the CyberTipline.
Don’t Give Up
Having a sexual exploitative image of yourself exposed online is a scary experience. It can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, but remember, others have been in the same situation as you – and they’ve overcome it. 

Learn the steps you can take to limit the spread of the content.


Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Trinity Mount Ministries - CyberTipline - NCMEC - Report Abuse! 1-800-843-5678



Overview

NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

What Happens to Information in a CyberTip?

NCMEC staff review each tip and work to find a potential location for the incident reported so that it may be made available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency for possible investigation. We also use the information from our CyberTipline reports to help shape our prevention and safety messages.

Is Your Image Out There?

Get Support
One of the worst things about sextortion is feeling like you’re facing everything alone. But you have people who care for you and want to help. Reach out to them!
A trusted adult can offer advice, help you report, and help you deal with other issues. It could be your mom, dad, an aunt, a school counselor, or anyone you trust and are comfortable talking to. You can also “self report” by making a report on your own to the CyberTipline.
Don’t Give Up
Having a sexual exploitative image of yourself exposed online is a scary experience. It can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, but remember, others have been in the same situation as you – and they’ve overcome it. 

Learn the steps you can take to limit the spread of the content.


Monday, June 29, 2020

If You Suspect A Child Is Being Harmed


If you are concerned that a child is a victim of abuse, you may not be sure what to do or how to respond. Child sexual abuse is a crime that often goes undetected. No matter what your role is—parent or other family member, coach, teacher, religious leader, babysitter—you have the power to make a positive difference in this child’s life.

1. Recognize the signs

The signs of abuse aren’t always obvious, and learning the warning signs of child sexual abuse could be life saving. You might notice behavioral or physical changes that could signal a child is being abused. Some of these warning signs include:
  • Behavioral signs: Shrinking away from or seeming threatened by physical contact, regressive behaviors like thumb sucking, changing hygiene routines such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively, age-inappropriate sexual behaviors, sleep disturbances, or nightmares
  • Physical signs: Bruising or swelling near the genital area, blood on sheets or undergarments, or broken bones
  • Verbal cues: Using words or phrases that are “too adult” for their age, unexplained silence, or suddenly being less talkative

2. Talk to the child

If you are concerned about abuse, talk to the child. Keep in mind a few guidelines to create a non-threatening environment where the child may be more likely to open up to you.
  • Pick your time and place carefully. Choose a space where the child is comfortable or ask them where they’d like to talk. Avoid talking in front of someone who may be causing the harm.
  • Be aware of your tone. If you start the conversation in a serious tone, you may scare the child, and they may be more likely to give you the answers they think you want to hear—rather than the truth. Try to make the conversation more casual. A non-threatening tone will help put the child at ease and ultimately provide you with more accurate information.
  • Talk to the child directly. Ask questions that use the child’s own vocabulary, but that are a little vague. For example, “Has someone been touching you?” In this context “touching” can mean different things, but it is likely a word the child is familiar with. The child can respond with questions or comments to help you better gauge the situation like, “No one touches me except my mom at bath time,” or “You mean like the way my cousin touches me sometimes?” Understand that sexual abuse can feel good to the child, so asking if someone is “hurting” them may not bring out the information that you are looking for.
  • Listen and follow up. Allow the child to talk freely. Wait for them to pause, and then follow up on points that made you feel concerned.
  • Avoid judgment and blame. Avoid placing blame by using “I” questions and statements. Rather than beginning your conversation by saying, “You said something that made me worry…” consider starting your conversation with the word “I.” For example: “I am concerned because I heard you say that you are not allowed to sleep in your bed by yourself.”
  • Reassure the child. Make sure that the child knows that they are not in trouble. Let them know you are simply asking questions because you are concerned about them.
  • Be patient. Remember that this conversation may be very frightening for the child. Many perpetrators make threats about what will happen if someone finds out about the abuse. They may tell a child that they will be put into foster care or threaten them or their loved ones with physical violence.

3. Report it

Reporting a crime like sexual abuse may not be easy, and it can be emotionally draining. Keep in mind that reporting abuse gives you the chance to protect someone who can’t protect themselves. Depending on where you live and your role in the child's life, you may be legally obligated to report suspicions of abuse. You can learn more about the laws in your state by visiting RAINN's State Law Database.

Before you report

  • Tell the child that you’re going to talk to someone who can help. Be clear that you are not asking their permission. 
The child may not want you to report and may be frightened, especially if the perpetrator has threatened them or their loved ones. Remember that by reporting, you are involving authorities who will be able to keep the child safe.
  • Ensure that the child is in a safe place. If you have concerns over the child’s safety, be sure to discuss them explicitly with authorities when you make the report. If you fear that the perpetrator will cause further harm to the child upon learning about the investigation, clearly communicate this to authorities.
  • If you are not concerned that the parents are causing harm, you can consult with them prior to making a report to authorities.
  • If you are a parent and are concerned that your partner or someone in your family may be hurting your child, this may be a very difficult time. It’s important to be there for your child, and it’s also important to take care of yourself. Learn more about being a parent to a child who has experienced sexual abuse and how to practice self-care.
  • Prepare your thoughts. You will likely be asked identifying information about the child, the nature of the abuse, and your relationship with the child. While anonymous tips are always an option, identified reporting increases the likelihood of prosecuting the perpetrator.

Where to report

  • If you know or suspect that a child has been sexually assaulted or abused you can report these crimes to the proper authorities, such as Child Protective Services. Reporting agencies vary from state to state. To see where to report to in your state, visit RAINN’s State Law Database.
  • Call or text the Childhelp National Abuse Hotline at 800.422.4453 to be connected with a trained volunteer. Childhelp Hotline crisis counselors can’t make the report for you, but they can walk you through the process and let you know what to expect.

After you report

  • You may not hear or see signs of an investigation right away. Depending on an agency’s policies and your relationship to the child, you may be able to call back to follow up after a few days.
  • If you are able to, continue to play the supportive role you always have in that child’s life. If making the report means that you can’t have this relationship anymore, know that by reporting you are helping that child stay safe.
  • Take care of yourself. Reporting sexual abuse isn’t easy. It’s important to practice self-care during this time.

To speak with someone who is trained to help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat online at online.rain



Saturday, June 20, 2020

Trinity Mount Ministries - CyberTipline - NCMEC - DOJ - Report Child Abuse! 1-800-843-5678



In March 1998, using hardware, software, and programming assistance donated by Sun MicroSystems, NCMEC launched the CyberTipline® to further NCMEC’s mission of helping to prevent and diminish the sexual exploitation of children.

The CyberTipline provides the public and electronic service providers (ESPs) with the ability to report online (and via toll-free telephone) instances of online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the Internet. NCMEC continuously reviews.
CyberTipline reports to ensure that reports of children who may be in imminent danger get first priority. After NCMEC’s review is completed, all information in a CyberTipline report is made available to law enforcement.

In furtherance of NCMEC’s mission, the CyberTipline allows NCMEC to engage with the Internet industry on voluntary initiatives to help reduce the proliferation of child sexual abuse images online. NCMEC uses the information submitted to the CyberTipline to create and tailor NCMEC’s safety and prevention publications that are provided to educators, parents and the public to help to prevent future victimization.

Members of the public are encouraged to report information regarding possible child sexual exploitation to the CyberTipline.



Saturday, April 11, 2020

Trinity Mount Ministries - CyberTipline - NCMEC - Report Abuse! 1-800-843-5678


Overview

NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

What Happens to Information in a CyberTip?

NCMEC staff review each tip and work to find a potential location for the incident reported so that it may be made available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency for possible investigation. We also use the information from our CyberTipline reports to help shape our prevention and safety messages.

Is Your Image Out There?

Get Support
One of the worst things about sextortion is feeling like you’re facing everything alone. But you have people who care for you and want to help. Reach out to them!
A trusted adult can offer advice, help you report, and help you deal with other issues. It could be your mom, dad, an aunt, a school counselor, or anyone you trust and are comfortable talking to. You can also “self report” by making a report on your own to the CyberTipline.
Don’t Give Up
Having a sexual exploitative image of yourself exposed online is a scary experience. It can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, but remember, others have been in the same situation as you – and they’ve overcome it. 

Learn the steps you can take to limit the spread of the content.


Friday, February 28, 2020

Burly bikers come together in court to help kids feel safe as they face abusers that hurt them


By Positive Thoughts

Of all the crimes that exist on this planet, none of them get any more seedy and loathsome than crimes committed against children. The innocence of our kids is what drives the protective nature of parents. With all that creeps and lurks around the corner just waiting to steal that innocence from your kids, parents can be hard-pressed to protect their child on their own.

Sadly, some children do fall through the cracks into the hands of abusers, but just because the damage has been done doesn’t mean there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Kids can speak out against those who’ve hurt them but they can only do so if they feel safe and confident, which is exactly where BACA steps in.


Source: Not In My World

BACA stands for Bikers Against Child Abuse and the organization exists for the sole purpose of keeping kids safe.

The nonprofit was started over 20 years ago by John Paul Lily who is simply known within BACA as “Cheif”. He saw a need among abused children to heal through regaining the insurmountable confidence that it takes to just be a kid again after going through something so traumatic.

Knowing something like that can only be accomplished through making abused kids feel safe again, Chief organized a band of burly bikers to step up and do exactly that by forming an unbreakable pact with these kids.


Source: Youtube screenshot

As a result, kids in the program gain the courage needed to face their abusers in court, because they know that they aren’t facing them alone.

Members of BACA start by riding out for a formal meeting with each kid that decides to become part of the BACA family.

If a child is living in fear of abuse and is scared to leave their home or schools, parents/guardians can arrange to have the child meet and become part of this protected pack. The bikers will ride out either to their home or to a place the child feels safe and introduce themselves.


Source: Youtube screenshot

There is a very ceremonial feel to each child’s first meeting with BACA.

The child is presented with their own biker jacket and a BACA patch sewn into the back that lets all others know they are a member of a very big family that looks out for them. They are then assigned to “primaries” and given their numbers for the child to call on 24/7, whenever they are needed.

They also take a few photos for the child to look at whenever they are feeling uncomfortable, to remind them that they are no longer alone. This is known within BACA as “level 1 intervention”.


Source: Youtube screenshot

Level 2 intervention takes place if their level 1 efforts aren’t enough to discourage further abuse.

This level of intervention involves a much heavier presence of BACA members around the child’s home and places they frequent. Members will also do “awareness rides” through the community, heightening people’s awareness of abusers in their area. They will have a constant presence at times when the family is most open to abuse, and they will even contact law enforcement and give them information on suspicious activity.

When the time comes, members of BACA show up when it’s most important; at the courthouse.


Source: Youtube screenshot

When the time for these kids to face their accusers in front of judge and jury comes, BACA will be there to back them 100%, so long as the judge will allow.

This is perhaps one of the most important steps in protecting these children from further harm.

Kids are already easily intimidated by adults. When it comes to facing one who has already hurt you in a room full of strangers, it can be just as traumatic for them as the original experience. As a result, kids may become too scared or confused to give their full and accurate testimony. This can end up with a child watching their abuser go free and having to live in constant fear that they will seek retribution on them later.

Having a bunch of burly bikers who have sworn to protect you with their very lives, if necessary, can do a lot to bolster an abused child’s confidence when they’re facing the pressures of the justice system process.

One of the BACA mottos hits home the hardest and is a testimony to just why such an organization needs to exist:

“No child deserves to live in fear.”
With chapters of these bikers all across the globe, far fewer children have to. Every member of the organization is a volunteer and there are BACA chapters spread throughout the world. To become a member is no quick and simple task, either. It is a 24/7 commitment to protecting every child from harm whenever and however they can.

New would-be members must adhere to every letter of the BACA Creed and must go through an extensive vetting process and one full year of chapter rides before being accepted. That is how committed the Bikers Against Child Abuse International are to doing their part to ensure that every child they come across feels safe and knows they are never alone.

To learn more about how you can help keep kids safe from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, visit them at their website, and watch the video below to listen to BACA members explain just what it is that they get from serving these kids.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Source: BACA World/Bikers Against Child Abuse International/Inside Edition


Thursday, February 27, 2020

Walnut Creek arrest reveals secret world of child sex trafficking; girls as young as 9 allegedly being bought and sold in the Bay Area

Oral surgeon investigated for sex tourism had dozens of hidden-camera devices, 1000s of child-porn images, police say


Cassidy Lavorini-Doyle, 36, is charged with human trafficking and child porn possession. (Contra Costa County Court Records and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office)

By NATE GARTRELL | ngartrell@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group

WALNUT CREEK — It started with a bizarre nighttime incident, in a dimly-lit area by an office building’s dumpsters, where a man allegedly drove up, attempted to pull a custodian into the car, and offered $30,000 to buy her two prepubescent daughters, there by her side.

What began as an attempted kidnapping case has mushroomed into something that horrified even seasoned sex-crime investigators. According to court records, police have uncovered evidence that girls as young as 9 are being bought for sexual servitude in the Bay Area and linked a suspect to a cache of child pornography, evidence of overseas sex tourism, and a stash of hidden video cameras disguised as everyday household objects.

That suspect is an Oakland man named Cassidy Lavorini-Doyle, 36, an oral surgeon who currently sits in a Contra Costa County jail awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, child porn possession, and attempted kidnapping. After his arrest, the state Attorney General’s office moved to revoke Lavorini-Doyle’s dental license, saying the allegations gave state prosecutors “grave concerns” about him interacting with children.

Lavorini-Doyle treated children through his job, and was licensed by the state to use anesthesia. Authorities say they are still investigating the possibility that he molested patients, but no molestation charges have been filed thus far.

The investigation started Dec. 6, at an office complex located at 165 Lennon Lane, in Walnut Creek. That evening, Lavorini-Doyle went to visit his accountant, and explained he was tens of thousands dollars in debt, and that he owed money to “bad” people, according to police.

Due to the late hour, the office building was almost abandoned. Among the handful of people present was a young woman known in court records only as Jane Doe 1, who worked as a custodian there. She was cleaning the building and had her two daughters, both younger than 12, alongside her.

The woman was emptying a trash bag into dumpsters behind the building when Lavorini-Doyle allegedly pulled up, hopped out of his car, and attempted to pull her inside. When she resisted, he offered her $30,000 to buy her two daughters. He said he wanted to take them that night, and that he’d return later with the money, according to police testimony.

The girls told police he asked them,”Do you want me to be your dad?”. But before the situation progressed, another employee exited the building. Lavorini-Doyle got back in his car but continued to circle the building, and was still in the parking lot when police arrived.

Lavorini-Doyle was briefly detained and released that evening. The following morning, he reportedly booked a $7,000 flight to Cambodia. He returned on Dec. 11 and was immediately arrested by Homeland Security agents, police said.

By this point, a team of federal and state authorities, including Walnut Creek police, the FBI, the DHS, and the Contra Costa District Attorney were investigating Lavorini-Doyle.

In mid-December, they served search warrants at his Oakland house, discovering dozens of secret recording devices, according to court records.

“We found plastic coat hooks that had hidden cameras. We found pictures with frames with hidden cameras in them. We found key fobs that had hidden camera recording devices in them,” Walnut Creek Ofc. Thomas Brown testified at Lavorini-Doyle’s January preliminary hearing, according to court records. “We found notebooks that had hidden camera recording devices in them. We found what appeared to be compact mirrors or makeup mirrors that had hidden camera and recording devices in them. Found what appeared to be an alarm clock that had what appeared to be a hidden camera and recording device in it, among other stuff.”

They also found more than 100 videos of child pornography, including one that depicted Lavorini-Doyle raping a prepubescent girl. The video referenced the girl as being 10 years old, but her identity is still unknown, police said. Investigators are still going through the videos to identify victims.

Another box in Lavorini-Doyle’s garage had hypodermic needles, formula bottles for infants, plastic zip ties, and a meat cleaver, Brown testified.

When authorities interviewed Lavorini-Doyle’s wife, she told them that over the course of their marriage he’d turned increasingly to pornography, and that discussing it with him only made the problem worse. She said that during his December trip to Cambodia, he’d told her that he was really going to drug rehab. A search of Lavorini-Doyle’s phone revealed he downloaded children’s songs during the flight, according to police testimony.

On Lavorini-Doyle’s phone, police reportedly found files that included a “Cambodia sex guide for single men,” as well as evidence that he had bought roughly $35,000 in gold on a trip to Cambodia. There were also receipts for “transactions” involving 10-year-old girls, according to police testimony.

Investigators also found evidence that Lavorini-Doyle was arranging to have prepubescent girls delivered to him in the Bay Area, police said.

Emails in Lavorini-Doyle’s phone, according to investigators, referred to an “all but done” deal that called for “the delivery of a girl.” Lavorini-Doyle responded by setting up an October meeting in Tracy, agreeing to give the girl back two weeks later.

On another occasion, Lavorini-Doyle discussed renting a home in Berkeley, and inquired with a child sex trafficking service if two girls could come over at the same time, police say.

Police said on other texts, Lavorini-Doyle made specific physical demands about girls he wanted sent to him, and said he wanted to make sure “no law enforcement” caught on to what was going on.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

VSU Dean Among 14 Arrested for Child Sex Offenses


VALDOSTA, Ga. – On Monday, February 10, 2020, a press conference was held at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office to address “Operation Broken Arrow,” a multi-agency child sex crimes investigation.

Fourteen people were arrested over a four-day period beginning Thursday, Feb. 6, including 44-year-old Valdosta State University’s College of Science and Mathematics Dean, Keith Walters, 44.

Walters came to Valdosta in January 2019 from Northern Kentucky University where he served as the chair of the chemistry department for seven years, according to an article in VSU Spectator. Walters position was created when the newly created college of Science and Mathematics resulted from the decision to split the College of Arts and Sciences into two.

On VSU’s website Walter’s name has already been removed.

Today Walters, along with 13 others, is being held in the Lowndes County Jail is a result of a proactive online undercover investigation coordinated by the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC), the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Lindsay Marchant, Assistant Commander of the GBI Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, was in Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk’s office on Monday answering questions from the media about “Operation Broken Arrow.”

“Lowndes County is one of the most active ICAC affiliates,” Marchant said. “We had numerous contacts…about 120 contacts, and 14 that actually traveled.”

Marchant said these incidents were done on common apps, ones that are familiar to everyone, and none on the “dark web,” where child porn rings have been known to proliferate. When Marchant was asked which apps they were, she responded, “I’m not going to name all the applications but they’re the most popular ones that are out there right now.”

Marchant said that this particular operation had nothing to do with younger children who have been involved in child porn rings in the area.


ICAC Assistant Commander Lindsay Marchant at LCSO press conference
Marchant had little to say about the investigation, other than parents should be aware what their children are doing and to advise their children not to be trusting of just anyone they communicate with on the various popular social media apps targeted by predators.

Today VSU’s Walters, along with 13 others, are being held in the Lowndes County Jail as a result of a “proactive online undercover investigation,” as Marchant referred to it, that involved a total of 18 agencies, that included Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit (CEACC), the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

The ages of the victims were 13-14 years of age, and the oldest of the offenders was 57.

“We do not go fishing for these people,” Marchant added. “They come to the apps and through our undercover operation 14 have been arrested, between the ages of 24-57.”

Marchant added that a couple were re-offenders and a majority had criminal histories.

Lowndes Co. Sheriff Ashley Paulk was pleased with the outcome of Operation Broken Arrow: “We’ve had several human trafficking cases we’ve made in the last 6-8 months. We know there’s a problem out there,” Sheriff Ashley Paulk said during Monday’s press conference (listen to full interview in above video). “I’m glad that the Governor’s wife (Marty Kemp) has helped get more personnel for the GBI and more funding…I was very excited about the operation. We’ve always had a good relationship with them (ICAC)…they work great with us. It was very fruitful, getting 14 people off the streets…the furthest one away was from Douglas, and we had one from South Carolina who was working here. I don’t care where they come from, as long as we get them away from our children…I’ve got five children and they’re grown but they’ve got children. It’s a bad situation. Something that really needs to be looked at. I look forward to working with them on some more cases.”

Each was charged with O.C.G.A. 16-12-100.2, Computer or Electronic Pornography and Child Exploitation Prevention Act of 2007 and/or O.C.G.A 16-5-46, Trafficking of Persons for Labor or Sexual Servitude. Additional charges and arrests may be forthcoming.

Operation Broken Arrow took several months of planning and every offender arrested believe they were going to a location to meet with a child and engage in prearranged sex acts.

The Georgia ICAC Task Force had previously received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on at least one person who was arrested during Operation Broken Arrow. That same person had been previously arrested on peeping tom charges. Two persons were arrested in possession of a firearm and two persons were arrested in possession of illegal narcotics. At least two other arrestees were investigated for sex related crimes in the past. Nineteen mobile devices and several additional electronic devices were seized as evidence during the operation.

The goal of “Operation Broken Arrow” was to arrest persons who communicate with children on-line and then travel to meet them for the purpose of having sex. Additionally, the operation targeted those that are willing to exploit children by purchasing sex with a minor. On-line child predators visit chat rooms and websites on the internet, find children, begin conversations with them, introduce sexual content and arrange a meeting with the children for the purpose of having sex. The children these predators target are both boys and girls. Since 2014, the Georgia ICAC Task Force has arrested over 150 people in similar operations.

Over the course of the operation, investigators had more than 120 exchanges with persons on various social media or internet platforms. During many of these exchanges, the subjects directed conversations towards sex with persons they believed to be minors. Over 40 cases were established that met the threshold for arrest. Fourteen of those cases were concluded with arrests. In some of these cases, the subject introduced obscene or lewd content, often exposing the minor to pornography or requesting the child take nude or pornographic images for them. About half of the exchanges involved websites used for dating, socializing, or even websites used for classified advertisements.

Although some websites promote themselves as being for “adults-only” it is not uncommon for law enforcement to work cases in which children access these sites, establish profiles claiming to be older, and then find themselves vulnerable to victimization, harassment, blackmail, or assault. Several subjects were identified as communicating simultaneously with multiple investigators posing as minors. Such activity confirms what investigators uncover conducting these types of investigations: that many predators specifically seek out minors on such websites to groom them as potential victims for sexual contact.

Along with those agencies who participated in the planning and coordinating of the operation, sixteen additional law enforcement agencies participated in “Operation Broken Arrow” as members of the Georgia ICAC Task Force. These agencies were:

Alpharetta Police Department
Atlanta Police Department
Floyd County Police Department
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
GBI-Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC)
Glynn County Police Department
Gwinnett County Police Department
Hall County Sheriff’s Office
Homeland Security Investigations
Johns Creek Police Department
Lilburn Police Department
Marietta Police Department
Polk County Police Department
Savannah Police Department
United States Air Force – Office of Special Investigations
Woodstock Police Department

The proactive online investigation was a coordinated effort among the participating law enforcement agencies to combat this activity. Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk stated, “the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with the GBI and other federal, state, and local area law enforcement agencies in these continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those who prey on our most vulnerable victims. Thanks to this coordinated four-day effort, multiple predators have been removed from our streets and are no longer free to victimize our children.”

GBI Special Agent in Charge, and Commander of the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Debbie Garner remarked “The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is one of our most active member agencies. We appreciate their daily efforts to combat child exploitation. This type of cooperation and collaboration is invaluable in the effort to keep our children safe from predators who seek to harm them. This successful operation was a true partnership between all the agencies involved. We will continue to aggressively work together to protect our children.”

The following were arrested and charged in Lowndes County as part of “Operation Broken Arrow”:

Dave Vincent Almon, W/M, 43, retail manager
Billy Stephen Carter, W/M, 57, truck driver
Eric Bernard Copeland, B/M, press operator
Walter Lee Curry, B/M, 33, laborer
Jamian Hogan, B/M, 34, retail associate
John Henry Hursey, W/M, 45, carpenter
Eugene Andega Mainah, B/M, 35, unemployed
Keith Morrison, B/M, 43, truck driver
Wyman Rene Phillips, W/M, 36, electrician
Wilford Sermons, B/M, 28, customer service representative
Josue Trejo, H/M, 31, forklift driver
Bronson Jamari D. Tripp, B/M, 24, retail associate, Keith Walters, W/M, 44, university Dean Justin Na’eem Warren, B/M, 24, student

The Georgia ICAC Task Force is comprised of 240+ local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, other related criminal justice agencies and prosecutor’s offices.

The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the U. S. Department of Justice and managed and operated by the GBI in Georgia, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases.

This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC Program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child pornography, and the heightened online activity by predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

By helping state and local law enforcement agencies develop effective and sustainable responses to online child victimization and child pornography, the ICAC program delivers national resources at the local level. Arrests made by the Georgia ICAC Task Force have been steadily increasing over the last 3 years.

In 2017, The Georgia ICAC Task Force made 350 arrests. In 2018, The Georgia ICAC Task Force made 307 arrests. In 2019, the Georgia ICAC Task Force made 474 arrests. The Georgia ICAC Task Force has made over 2,000 arrests since its inception in 2002.