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OverviewWhat Happens to a Tip?Is Your Image Out There?By the NumbersMore

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, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, 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 having an explicit image online 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.

Families of exploited children often feel alone in their struggle and overwhelmed by the issues affecting their lives. NCMEC provides assistance and support to victims and families such as crisis intervention and local counseling referrals to appropriate professionals. Additionally, NCMEC’s Team HOPE is a volunteer program that connects families to others who have experienced the crisis of a sexually exploited child.

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.

By the Numbers

In 2020, reports to the CyberTipline increased by 28% from 2019.

The 21.7 million reports of child sexual exploitation made to the CyberTipline in 2020 included 65.4 million images, videos and other files. These materials contained suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and other incident related content.

Electronic Service Providers make the majority of reports, but reports of online sexual exploitation from the public more than doubled in 2020.

2019 & 2020 Total Files by Reporting Category & Type

2019 Reports by Electronic Service Providers (ESP)

2020 Reports by Electronic Service Providers (ESP)

2019 & 2020 Reports by Country

More

Learn more about online exploitation and safety.

Coping with Child Sexual Abuse (CSAM) Exposure For Families

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Production and Active Trading of Child Sexual Exploitation Images Depicting Identified Victims

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Trends Identified in CyberTipline Sextortion Reports

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The Online Enticement of Children: An In-Depth Analysis of CyberTipline Reports

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How NCMEC is responding to the ever-changing threats to children online.

Trinity Mount Ministries - Everybody in the Pool: Swimming Lessons for Kids on the Autism Spectrum

  

By Patricia Davis

It’s a fear many parents with children on the autism spectrum say they live with every day: that their child will bolt out the door at any second and head straight to the nearest body of water, drawn to it as if by some powerful magnetic force.

The behavior is known as wandering, or eloping, and it’s something that parents of nearly half of children with autism say they’ve experienced. Many of these children exhibit a diminished sense of fear, making a beeline to things they’re attracted to that could place them in harm’s way – most often natural bodies of water like ponds, creeks or drainage ditches – but also highways, trains, construction equipment, firetrucks or even roadway signs.

Over a 10-year period, 1,516 children with autism were reported missing to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Of those, 64 children were recovered deceased with drowning the leading cause of death. Sadly, the number is likely much higher because children who wander often reach water before they can be reported missing and their deaths are not distinguished from other accidental drownings. Kids on the autism spectrum are 160 times more likely to die from drowning compared to the general population of children, according to the American Journal of Public Health.

NCMEC’s 10-year analysis, from 2011 to 2020, shows causes of accidental deaths after children wander from safe environments.

Parents use all kinds of strategies and technologies to keep their children safe – sensors to detect when a door is opened, enlisting help from neighbors, cameras, special locks, tracking devices. Now that Covid-19 restrictions are lifting, parents have another potential lifeline: swimming lessons.

Before the pandemic, the YMCA was teaching swimming to children with disabilities as part of a pilot program. Now, with pools opening back up, the organization is bolstering its inclusive swimming program, providing instructors with more training and giving them the tools they need to work with children who may be nonverbal or have difficulty communicating.

“As communities across the country reopen, we want to remind everyone that water safety isn’t just fun – it’s essential,” said Lindsay Mondick, director of innovative priorities at Y-USA. “The Y’s classes provide a safe, fun and healthy environment for children with disabilities to learn important water safety skills in a way that can ultimately save their lives if ever faced with an unexpected situation with water.”

Each child on the autism spectrum is unique, so the YMCA has been working with parents to meet their individual needs, Mondick said. Some want private lessons for their children, while others believe their kids would benefit from swimming classes with their peers, she said. 

Child is taught swimming lessons at YMCA using visual aids.

The National Autism Association (NAA) has been working with the organization since 2012 and has a list of Y’s that offer inclusive classes on its website, https://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/autism-safety-facts/swimming-instructions/. Other organizations, including the Red Cross, offer classes, and the NAA tells parents to Google “swimming lessons and special needs” if they don’t have a Y in their community.

“We recommend swimming lessons as one of the first safeguards parents should get for their children, a pretty critical piece,” said Lori McIIwain, co-founder of the NAA and mother of a son with autism. “It’s one layer.”

Parents interested in swimming lessons with Red Cross-trained instructors should contact their local parks and recreation departments, said Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial Initiatives. The Red Cross offers lessons at 3,500 aquatic facilities throughout the United States, she said. 

The need for swimming lessons for children on the autism spectrum is growing as the number of children diagnosed with autism continues to grow. Today, one in 54 children in the United States are on the autism spectrum, compared to one in 68 in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

McIIwain said her organization encourages parents to have their children take at least one swimming lesson while wearing their clothes and shoes as would be the case if they wandered to a body of water. The NAA tracks wandering cases and counts about 20 a month, including two to three deaths, often learning about them when a parent calls to report their child drowned after wandering.

When parents say swimming lessons wouldn’t work for their child because he or she doesn’t like water, including taking showers and brushing their teeth, McIIwain says her organization encourages them to get swimming lessons anyway. Children who don’t like water may still be attracted to bodies of water in natural settings, and there are strategies to ease them into swimming lessons, she said.

Mondick says sometimes just teaching these children that they must ask for permission before ever getting in the water can be a lifesaver. The NAA agrees and encourages parents to put water play on a visual schedule for their children so they have a structured routine.

“It’s actually really simple, but it works,” McIIwain said.

For more information, visit: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/autism. For our next NCMEC autism training class for law enforcement, visit: https://connect.missingkids.org.    

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Child Safety Tips For The Holidays

 

HOLIDAYS

It’s the holiday season again, a time when we enjoy festive meals with family and friends, deck our halls with colorful decorations and listen to squeals of delight as our children open their brightly-wrapped presents. To help ensure your kids have fun and stay safe this holiday, here are a few tips to remember.

Hard Facts about Holiday Safety

• In 2012, 3,270 children 19 and under were seen in emergency rooms for injuries caused by nonelectric holiday decorations, like broken ornaments.
• In 2012, an estimated 192,000 children were treated in an emergency room for a toy-related injury.
• That same year, an estimated 136,314 children ages 19 and under were injured due to a fire or burn.

Top Tips about Holiday Safety

1. Make sure your tree has plenty of water by checking it regularly. Natural trees look beautiful and smell great, but if they’re not watered regularly, needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard.
2. Keep lit holiday candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep.
3. Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game this holiday season. It’s worth a second to read the instructions to make sure the gift is just right.
4. Keep a special eye on small pieces, including button batteries that may be included in electronic toys. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings.
5. Prevent burns from hot holiday food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge.
6. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young kids. 

Learn More

Learn more about holiday safety tips to keep you and your kids safe. 

Detroit Officers Sense Something Wrong, Rescue Four Kidnapped Kids in a stolen car During A Traffic Stop

 

Posted by: Chris Elliot | Featured, Law and Legal, Must Reads

DETROIT, MI – Not all heroes wear capes, and that much is evident in terms of police officers all over the nation.

That’s exactly the case in Detroit, Michigan where two officers noted something was off.

Through their digging, they were able to determine that the children in the car they’d pulled over had been kidnapped and they were able to rescue them.

On November 30th, Detroit Police Officers allegedly witnessed a vehicle run a red light in the area of Grand River and Evergreen Avenue and stopped the vehicle for the infraction.

When officers spoke to the female driver, she told them that she was in a hurry to get the children that were in the vehicle to school.

The officers noted the body language of the children inside the car and decided to dig a little deeper and began questioning the driver as to which school the children attend. The woman was unable to provide a straight answer to the question which immediately raised red flags.

This woman kidnapped 4 Black Kids in Detroit on Tuesday.

Detroit police officers who noticed something peculiar about a woman and four children in a van they stopped for a traffic violation saved the youngsters from a kidnapping, authorities said Friday. https://t.co/hWNTmHxRQN

— THEE Robyn of Detroit (@dawtahajudah) December 4, 2021

According to Detroit Police Chief James White, Officers Parrish and Flannel asked the woman if the children were hers and she said that they were. White said:

“Are these your children? To which she said yes, and the children at the same time were shaking their head no.”

   LET Unity - It's being called the "Netflix" of the Emergency Responder and Veteran Community

The officers separated the woman driver from the children and began to ask what the relationship was between them and her. What they learned was shocking, the children, whose ages ranged from 11 to 5, did not know who the woman was that was driving the car.

The discovery came during a traffic stop from a car going through a red light by a pair of officers from the Eighth Precinct. https://t.co/HEKXT3eqm7

— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) December 4, 2021

As the officers continued their investigation, they learned the vehicle the suspect, identified as Stephanie Marie Binder, was driving was reported stolen.

Binder was arrested and charged with four counts each of kidnapping – child enticement, unlawful imprisonment, and one count each of receiving and concealing stolen property -motor vehicle, and unlawfully driving away of an automobile.

While conducting further investigation, Detroit Police learned of a Ring doorbell camera that was in the area where the children would normally walk to school.

When they reviewed that video they saw the van the woman was allegedly driving pull up to the children as they were walking and have an interaction with them. During the interaction, Binder was allegedly able to convince them to enter the car and leave the area.

Officers believe that Binder was able to convince the children to enter the van by targeting the youngest one and convincing him to enter. The older siblings followed the youngest one to ensure that he was safe while one of them, who had a cell phone, was calling for help.

The children’s mother, Shayla Burleigh, reported:

“She preyed on my youngest one. The oldest one didn’t want to leave his youngest brother. He did what he had to do.”

She added:

“I just thank everyone involved that my children are back home safe.”

Today Chief James E. White held a press conference to recognize @DPD8Pct officers Parrish and Flannel, for rescuing four children who were kidnapped. The officers stopped a van near Grand River and Evergreen after the driver ran a red light. pic.twitter.com/TFwgeChKxc

— Detroit Police News (@detroitpolice) December 3, 2021

Keith Lindey, one of the children’s father, expressed his praise and gratitude that the Detroit Police officers dug further on a simple traffic stop to ensure the safety of the community. He said:

“I just want to congratulate the City of Detroit police officers for performing their duties. I am thankful.”

There has been no information released that would give any insight as to why Binder allegedly kidnapped the four children. Binder is being held in a Wayne County Jail on a $5 million bond.

The court has ordered Binder if she can bond out to not have any contact with the victims in the case and will be ordered to wear a GPS monitor. Additionally, she will be confined to her home until further ordered by the courts.

Outdoor Safety Tips: 10 things you can do to Protect Your Kids

From teaching road safety to establishing kid-friendly zones, these tips will help your kids get the most out of outdoor play -- while avoiding anything worse than the usual bumps and bruises.

Mandy Sleight

Getty

American children spend over three times as many hours in front of screens as they do outdoors. As children get older, their screen time increases on average, too, giving them less time to spend outside. Yet research suggests unstructured, outdoor play leads to higher self-directed executive functioning in children. In fact, being outdoors and playing in nature are essential to a child's overall health and well-being.

But there's a reason many parents are hesitant to send their children out the front door: outdoor play is simply riskier -- at least on an immediate, physical level -- than watching TV. Luckily, a few simple tricks can help lower the risks to children associated with playing outside.

Use the buddy system

Depending on the ages of your children, independent play can be risky without parents around to monitor it. If a child gets hurt, they might not be able to reach help on their own. Having a buddy around while playing can keep both children safer.

Emphasize personal safety

Educate your children on personal safety, especially when riding bikes, skating and playing sports. Teach your children the importance of wearing a helmet and that it's non-negotiable. Elbow and knee pads and other sports-specific gear are helpful protective measures. Instilling the importance of protective gear and helmet-wearing at all times when they're young ensures they'll make safer choices as they gain more independence. 

Have a plan

In case of an emergency, you should already have a home safety plan in place. But do you also have a plan in place for your older kids as they gain more independence? When your children are old enough to leave your yard or venture away from your building, they should know what to do if they're hurt or need help of any other kind.

Talk through potential hazards with them, letting them ask questions along the way. Do they understand where to go, what to do and who to contact if something happens to them, a friend or even a stranger? Is there a plan B if you're not home, or if they can't reach you?

Use smart security as an extra pair of eyes

Chris Monroe/CNET

While many parents develop keen ears for hearing their child's distant cry -- including whether it's playful or genuine -- an extra set of eyes when the kids are outside can't hurt. Having an outdoor home security camera doesn't just protect your home; it can also give you another way to ensure child safety outdoors. Most smart security cameras can be monitored from smartphones, and some even boast smart features, like animal detection, facial recognition and person alerts, which can help give you more detailed notifications while your children play.

Remember road safety

Personal safety isn't the only thing kids should be educated about when they're playing outdoors. Many children are unaware of the surrounding dangers when outdoors until an adult explains it. Children walking and biking should know the rules of the road, including how to obey traffic laws and the correct traffic flow, like riding with the flow of traffic off to the right instead of against it. If your child has to walk a few blocks to get to the basketball court or nearest playground, do a trial run for their first time and help them navigate the roads -- using crosswalks and looking both ways for cars along the way so they know the right path to take.

Set up a kid-friendly zone

If you're lucky enough to have a backyard or other outdoor area for your kids to play, make sure it's kid-friendly by protecting against common hazards. Pools and hot tubs should be securely closed and locked to prevent accidental injuries or worse. Toys and playhouses should be checked for insect nests, snakes and other unwelcome critters (these will differ based on where you live).

Scan the yard for other potential hazards, like dead tree branches or poison ivy that may have creeped in from the neighbor's yard. If you have a trampoline or are planning to get one, know how to level it properly, especially if your yard is sloped.

For those who don't have a yard, it's important to create age-appropriate boundaries before children can safely play outdoors without an adult. There may be a creek nearby you want them to avoid, or a busy intersection they should steer clear of. Walk the boundaries, teaching them where they can and can't go along the way. If your apartment building has rules -- for instance, kids can play in the garden but aren't allowed to open the exterior door -- make sure your kiddos know the rules and can repeat them so you know they understand.

Keep track of the kids

A bit of freedom goes a long way toward unstructured play for your child's physical and mental growth, but you can't be everywhere with them. One solution is an age-appropriate tracker that can show you where they are, even without them checking in. (We recommend using these trackers only with the knowledge of your children.) You can use tracking services built into smartphones and watches, or use a separate device.

Remember medical considerations

Preparing a child with allergies or other medical issues for outdoor fun might take a couple of extra steps before they're ready to head out the door.

Make sure your children have any medication they need readily available, especially for serious allergies like bee stings. For children who need an inhaler, practice with them so they know when and how to administer their medicine on their own. If your child needs medication at a specific time, make sure they have an alarm set to come back home to take their medicine when needed, or have a system in place for them to safely take it while outside.

Even if your children don't have these concerns, that doesn't mean their friends don't. Check with parents of your children's friends to be sure you're not packing snacks that could lead friends to have serious allergic reactions.

Encourage seasonal preparation

David Priest/CNET

Children should stay well hydrated before, during and after outdoor activities -- especially when the weather is hot. Check on them every half hour to make sure they stay hydrated, and more often during hotter months. Know the signs of dehydration and have rehydration solutions like Pedialyte readily available in cases of mild dehydration.

In winter months, children should wear layers of warm, brightly colored clothes appropriate for the temperatures in your area. This way, they can remove or add layers based on temperature fluctuations, especially around dusk and dawn.

In general, asking what the kids plan to do before they leave for an hours-long play session is a good idea, too: if they say they're building a snow fort, you can remind them not to tunnel under heavy snow; if they say they're playing baseball in the street, you can remind them to watch for cars.

Set check-in timers

Kids can easily lose track of time when they're outside having fun. Help them remember to check in regularly by setting an alarm or reminder on their smartphone or tracker. You can also get an inexpensive smart speaker to set outside that will remind them to check in.

Conclusion

Encouraging outdoor play can have a lasting positive effect on your kids. But if you want to avoid any injuries worse than the usual bumps and bruises, following some safety tips can make a big difference. Make indoor and outdoor home security easier with some of these recommendations:

9 devices you should buy to make your home instantly safer

Home security buying guide: Start your security tech hunt here

How to use Alexa commands with your home security camera

Best home security cameras of 2021

SimpliSafe home security review

Ecobee Total Home Comfort and Security Bundle review

Blink outdoor security camera review