RD299 - Actual Expenditures and Performance Results Achieved by the Northern Virginia - District of Columbia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force – October 2016


Executive Summary:
The Northern Virginia-District of Columbia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, otherwise known as NOVA-DC ICAC, is charged with the responsibility of investigating crimes perpetrated against children through the use of technology. Despite our efforts to address these complex and very serious crimes, there are still many who choose to actively prey upon our children and they are in a constant search to stay one step ahead of law enforcement.

The Internet and computers have become so commonplace in American life that all communities are impacted by their use. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Computer and Internet Use in the United States 2013 Survey, more than 80 per cent of individuals in Virginia live in a household with high speed internet access, which translates to increased access by online child sexual predators in the United States and globally. This dynamic has contributed to an increase in the overall activities of the NOVA-DC ICAC. The task force continues to experience a large number of predators willing to travel great distances and even from other countries to meet children with whom they have developed an online relationship. The NOVA-DC ICAC region is home to over four million residents, so law enforcement is greatly outnumbered when it comes to investigating these dangerous crimes against children. Due to the current economic downturn, many law enforcement agencies are closely evaluating their agencies’ investigative and personnel priorities. However, NOVA-DC ICAC affiliate law enforcement agencies continue to keep Internet crimes against children investigations a priority. This is in large part due to the financial support provided by the Internet Crimes Against Children Fund.