Upcoming TF Community Events
The Task Force Initiative - Why we started
The Task Force was started in partnership with A.C.T. United and the Scott County MN Attorney's Office in response to the alarming rate at which the online exploitation crime of sextortion was growing and targeting kids as young as 3rd grade. A.C.T. United is a nonprofit organization in Minnesota that began in 2015 with a bold new model completely dedicated to prevention and intervention of exploitation crimes targeting children, teens, and college campuses. The Scott County Attorney's Office, led by Ron Hocevar, elect, works diligently in criminal prosecution of offenders, including those who perpetrate exploitation crimes against both youth and adults.
In 2022 and 2023, national and Minnesota State crisis level warnings, regarding a climbing spike in sextortion, specifically targeting boys 9-17 years old, were issued, by the FBI, International Law Enforcement Partners, US Department of Justice, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The national warning also reported a growing number of teens confirmed to have died by suicide as a result of the impact of victimization of this crime.
In April of 2024, the task force started with an invitation to law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, both government and NGO agencies in youth victim / survivor services, and the County Attorney's Office, in Scott and Carver Counties, in SW Metro Minnesota. We also welcome and encourage school district leaders and community leaders invested in the health and safety of youth in their community to attend a meeting. The TF currently has a growing list of 12 active participating agencies and organizations.
Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, Noon - 1:30pm, in Shakopee, MN. If your agency or organization would like more information or the meeting schedule and location, contact ACT United at [email protected] with your name and agency or organization.
Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, Noon - 1:30pm, in Shakopee, MN. If your agency or organization would like more information or the meeting schedule and location, contact ACT United at [email protected] with your name and agency or organization.
Sextortion - What is it
|
|
A form of cyber extortion targeting youth under age 18. After sending a nude or sexually explicit photo or video, threats to expose your image are used to demand more images, send money, meet in person, or stay in an unhealthy or abusive relationship.
Reports of financial sextortion in 2023
to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Sextortion reports in MN 2023
SW Metro ECAC TF |
Needs List - How you can help
Our primary need at the onset is funding. The TF is actively working to secure a budget that will not only sustain, but maximize our collaborative, results driven efforts. If you are an investor, community foundation, government funding coordinator, or legislative representative with funding that supports collaborative, multidiscipline, comprehensive efforts to combat child exploitation and trafficking and protect youth, please reach out to Jesica, Executive Director and Task Force Co-Founder at [email protected] subject "Task Force Partner."
Stay connected for updated needs list
Stay connected for updated needs list
Active Partner Agencies and Organizations
Task Force Sponsor Partners - All sponsor levels needed
For information on how to become a Task Force Sponsor Partner, email Jessica, Executive Director, A.C.T. United at [email protected] subject line "Task Force Partner"
ACT United is a nonprofit 501c3 Mn registered organization EIN 83-4154853
ACT United is a nonprofit 501c3 Mn registered organization EIN 83-4154853