(TIP) Targeting Internet Pedophiles

If you followed the Groene case at all you know that suspect Joseph Duncan maintained a significant web presence. Make no mistake, there is a serious problem with many individuals just like Duncan using the Internet to further their predatory ambitions.

T.I.P. or Targeting Internet Pedophiles is an initiative being started by a few bloggers including Steve Huff and a fellow by the name of TrenchCoat. This has been talked about a bit behind the scenes for a while - here's the deal.

Some web hosts like LiveJournal and Xanga, and I'm sure others, are places where young children often build and manage their own  little web sites, or blogs, diaries, etc. Along with that, research has shown that pedophiles also frequently establish sites on services like these. It's basically the same principle as a pedophile being drawn to a school yard - kids congregate there, so some of those who would prey upon them do, as well.

The first thought was to link and expose these sites, leading to complaints against the hosting services, who haven't shown a great deal of action in terms of rooting them out. But that's changed.

Because of some contact with the FBI, it's been determined that linking and exposing the sites isn't the best tactic. In essence, it warns the individual and can lead to certain pictures, stories, or other materials being promptly taken down. Through discussion with law enforcement, it was learned that, while some of these materials might not be illegal by the letter of the law, in some cases they might be suggestive enough so as to be helpful in obtaining search warrants that could lead to a genuine predator being taken down before he hurts a child.

More detail on that here and here. Also, keep checking back for updates and information if you are interested in supporting this initiative.

He stated that he has a friend who is an agent with the FBI who says not to post the links to the sites and do not report them to the web hosts. Instead report them to the FBI.

Bloggers involved with this initiative will take emails and ensure that they are forwarded to the proper authorities. It's anticipated that additional guidelines will be developed as time goes on if they're needed. In the meantime, please check in at the other blogs - and if you are aware of, or find such a site - do not file a complaint, simply contact one of the bloggers.

Comments

[cathy]

EAn,

Dan,

It is wonderful that you guys are doing this. I have always felt that many parents, no matter how computer savy they are, sometimes are unaware of their children"s activity on the internet.

A really good frined of our is superb on the computer,(computer science major in college)and he works with computers for a living. The other night he was shocked to find that his son had somehow circumvented all of the parental "firewalls" put up by our friend for the children's protection.

This child is 9 years old and he is so cagy he would put everything back the way he found it making dear old dad think that he was towing the line. We all laughted because it seems "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" but then we all got real serious. It is one thing when they manipulate the cable to get past sesame street or, when they are in their early teens, to get to HBO. It is quite another when they can be out on the sometimes rough streets of the internet without any protection whatsoever.

So, thanks again.

[Steve]

KICKASS, Dan. Thanks, very much.

[Trench]

Yes, thanks for the help.

[WI Mom]

Thanks! With all the attention on a couple muderous pedophiles recently, I am glad some people are actually doing something about it.

[Cindi in PA]

Wow, you guys in the blog world are doing awesome things!

Can you sign my T-shirt? :)

I have in the past reported two people that came to me through Instant Messenger on AOL. Both pointed me in the direction to child pornography. I love playing the Instant Message game, so many freaking sick "O"s in the world. But these two were way over the edge, of course I knew how to play the game until they got around to what they really wanted to say. Both were reported to the FBI and I got an immediate response from them. Not a Dear John email, but that they had received my information and were taking immediate action.

[oldtimer]

Speaking of pedophiles, just found out on local news that about 3000 registered sex offenders from NO are among the evacuess. Have not heard this anywhere else,a man that was relocated here told police that he needed to register,at least he did the right thing, they put him a seperate location. But just think of all that are among the unsuspecting public.

[Steve Huff]

http://www.planethuff.com/darkside/archives/001042.html -- this link is posted in reference to oldtimer's comment above -- it's an entry I wrote a few days ago about that particular subject. There are some interesting tools on the 'net to combat that sort of thing.

[AkekoaHoAlethia]

Thanks Dan,

Maybe we can catch someone who recently arrived in Holland and is just starting his new "education!"

Some think he may want to do some sort of web surfing from there since the North Sea is much colder than 88 degree "surf" he once enjoyed ..... it may cause a reduction in the size of his "motivator" ........

[FloridaPatty]

In my other life I am an artist. I was just asked to do the calligraphy on over 100 pink and purple dolphins, Jessica Lundsford's favorite colors. Her birthday is coming up soon and her family is planning a memorial celebration. As many of you know, she was abducted by John Couey in February of last year and her body was found 3 weeks later buried under the back porch of his sister's trailor. I have heard the most gruesome of details and I would be hard pressed to sit on a jury and find GUILTY any individual who killed a pedophile who had committed the same act this man did. Vigilante justice? Probably.

I am on the internet often and read Livejournal and Myspace to keep tabs on my kids activities and their friends they hang out with. Quietly reading and watching. I see some stuff that is nasty. I'm glad to see some action being taken to snuff this kind of stuff.

[Shari]

FP,
I'm glad you brought up Myspace. I too, check my kids profiles. I was mortified to see who she was talking to. She is only 14 and the people contacting her were alot older. I actually got a phonecall last Sunday at 8 a.m. from a family friend who was checking his son's site and from there, found my daughter's site. Among one of her "friends" was a drug dealer in the neighborhood I hadn't known about. Needless to say, I raised the roof and now check her site daily. She "hates" me right now, but I'm not here to be her friend. She knows ALL about the Natalee Holloway and Elizabeth Smart stories. I even printed out pictures of the pedophiles in my neighborhood, as she believes these things happen "so far away". I am not trying to fill her with fear, I just want her to be aware of the real world and her surroundings. It's sad that they have to be exposed to the truth at such a young age. But we have to arm them with knowledge so they can protect themselves.