The FBI's Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) works to decrease the vulnerability of children to sexual exploitation and abuse. The investigations relate to violations of federal statutes relating to kidnappings, such as child abductions and domestic and international parental kidnappings.

One of the CACU's most recognized programs is the Innocent Images National Initiative (IINI). Through the IINI, the FBI investigates online child pornography and child sexual exploitation violations.

Join Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and Intelligence Operations Specialists (IOS) Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews as they answer your questions about the CAC Program and its investigative responsibilities.

NOTE: Per the FBI's request, please DO NOT use this forum to post crime leads or solicitations to investigate matters. If you have an emergency, please contact the nearest FBI office or, if outside the United States, contact the nearest Legal Attachι office.

A transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: Thank you for joining us today. We will try to answer as many questions as possible. We appreciate your interest in the FBI's Crimes Against Children (CAC) Program. This Program began in 1997 and has significantly grown over the past few years. The FBI is increasingly adding resources to the CAC Program and today we have more FBI Special Agents working these matters than ever before.

Washington, D.C.: Can anyone (public person, not in the FBI) volunteer to help in the Innocent images project?

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: Unfortunately, all Innocent Images investigations are sensitive undercover matters. We appreciate your concern, however, the most constructive thing a citizen can do is report child porngraphy and/or the sexual exploitation of children to your local FBI Field Office or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC maintains a cybertipline at www.cybertipline.com that allows the public to report these crimes. These reports are then reviewed by analysts and are then referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency. These agencies include the FBI, US Customs, and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement. reports can also be made to NCMEC's 24-hour toll-free hotline 1-800-THE-LOST.

Tampa, Fla.: What part of the U.S. has the most crimes against children would you say? Thank you for your time today.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: Child pornography/child sexual exploitation facilitated by an online computer is the most prevalent Crimes Against Children crime problem throughout the US. Because the Internet has no boundaries, the FBI is investigating these crimes in every FBI Field Office and internationally in some of the FBI's Legal Attache Offices.

Arlington, Va.: Where can I look for a picture of sex offenders in my neighborhood? Thanks.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: The FBI has a Crimes Against Children webpage at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm which has a section specifically dedicated to sex offenders. This section hyperlinks to every state's online state sex offender registry database, if that state has an online version. Virginia does have an online registry which is maintained by the Virginia State Police. If available, Virginia's site does include photos of convicted sex offenders, as well as their offenses and most current address.

Falls Church, Va.: Please tell us a few specifics on what does this department/program does on prevention of child kidnapping, sexual exploitation and domestic violence against children. Thank you!

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: Our Crimes Against Children (CAC) webpage at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm provides specifics on each of the different types of CAC investigations the FBI conducts. Specific sections include child abductions and the sexual exploitation of children.

Arlington, Va.: Do all field offices have a CAC investigator?

Thank you.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: Yes. Each of the FBI's 56 Field Offices have at least 2 Crimes Against Children (CAC) Coordinators, who are FBI Agents specifically trained in CAC investigations. Some Field Offices have as many as 6 CAC Coordinators. They serve as the points of contact for all CAC matters within their Field Office.

Pittsburgh, Pa.: What can be done when teens outside of your home are harassing your child verbally and are attacking their character on line and also posting the same information on a Web site? My child had changed her screen name at least four times and somehow this person still continues to attack her. Are there any legal rights for these attacks when we have the written/printed proof?

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach and IOS Kevin Gutfleish: Unfortunately, the circumstances you describe do not fall under a federal violation that the FBI has jurisdiction over. We recommend you preserve as much information as possible regarding this harrassment and turn it over to you local law enforcement. In addition, you may want to contact your internet service provider and consult with them on changing you online profile.

South Lebanon: If I get child pornographic pictures what should I do? Note that there is a clear picture of a male adult involved in those sexual activities.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach & IOS Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews: You should report child pornography to your local FBI Field Office and/or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC maintains a cybertipline at www.cybertipline.com where you can report specifics. Please do not download or distribute this information to other sources, because distribution of child pornography is a federal offense. The NCMEC can also be contacted at 1-800-THE-LOST.

Rockaway, N.J.: I was wondering how difficult it is to separate the professional side of the job, dealing with crimes against children, from the emotional aspect that one can have when dealing with our most vulnerable segment of society?

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach & IOS Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews: The FBI is very sensitive to the emotional drain that occurs when working crimes against children (CAC) cases. The FBI provides psychological assessments to all of its employees who address CAC matters.

New York, N.Y.: Did Director Freeh support the CAC program? If so, how would you characterize this support? I think the CAC program is great.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach & IOS Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews: Yes. Director Freeh strongly supports the Crimes Against Children (CAC) program and developed the Crimes Against Children Unit in 1997 to further the FBI's CAC initiative. In addition, Director Freeh mandated that each FBI Field Office designate at least 2 CAC Coordinators.

Holiday, Fla.: What precautions should be used when allowing young children to use the Internet?

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach & IOS Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews: Parents should supervise their children while they are online. We recommend that online computers be put in a central location, such as a living room, so that parents and children can be online together. The computer should not be placed in a child's bedroom. In addition, children should not provide personal information online, such as their name, address, phone number, passwords, etc. Parents can instruct children to never meet in person anyone who they come in contact with while online. Parents can also check their children's screen names and profiles to ensure personal information is not present. Parental controls and filtering software can also be beneficial in providing online safety to children.

For more information, please read the FBI's "A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety" which is available online at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm

Casablanca, Morocco: Since crime against children goes beyond U.S borders, especially in this cyberage, how much cooperation the FBI get from foreign government when dealing to cases pertainning to child Internet pornography.
Regards -- Keep up the good work
A.Y -- Casablanca, Morocco

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach & IOS Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews: The FBI coordinates all international investigations with the FBI's Legal Attache Offices. The FBI currently has over 40 international offies, which coordinate FBI investigations with the appropriate law enforcement agencies in that country. The FBI also works with INTERPOL's Specialist Group on Crimes Against Children. INTERPOL assists the FBI by diffusing wanted notices regarding international fugitives, such as international child pornographers and international parental abductors.

Unit Chief Michael Heimbach & IOS Kevin Gutfleish and Stephanie Crews: Thanks again for your your questions, concerns, and interest in the FBI's Crimes Against Children (CAC) Program. Our program has seen significant growth over the past few years and the FBI's committment to CAC is best indicated by the placement of Eric Rosser on the FBI's Top 10 List. Eric Rosser is a child pornographer and child molester who is wanted in both the US and Thailand for the production and distribution of child pornography. Additional information about Rosser can be found under the 10 Most Wanted Fugitives section of the FBI's webpage at www.fbi.gov

If you have any additional CAC questions, please refer to our CAC webage at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/crimesmain.htm or the link above. If you need immediate assistance, please contact a CAC Coordinator at you local FBI Field Office. Thanks you for helping to keep our children safe.

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