Van Hollen Announces New Partnership With Boys & Girls Clubs in Wisconsin

Clubs Join Campaign to Combat Internet Crimes Against Children

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that the Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs in Wisconsin will become affiliates of the statewide Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force now numbering more than 137 members.

"Boys & Girls Clubs have a long history of proven programs and strong community ties, inspiring and enabling young people to succeed. Our mutual goal is to educate and protect them from the risks we know exist," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said.

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force affiliates participate in training and receive age-appropriate materials and programming to educate young people on Internet safety.

"Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Wisconsin are pleased to join this important task force because we share the concerns of other members including local law enforcement, along with Attorney General Van Hollen in protecting our young people," said Wally Graffen of the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha.

Joining the ICAC Task Force Affiliate Program will be:

• Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley
• Boys & Girls Club of  Dane County
• Boys & Girls Club of  Green Bay
• Boys & Girls Club of Janesville
• Boys & Girls Club of  Kenosha
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse
• Mashkisbi Boys & Girls Club
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee
• Boys & Girls Club of  Rice Lake
• Boys & Girls Club of Wausau
• Boys & Girls Club of  West Bend
• Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin Rapids

As part of this affiliation, the Boys & Girls Clubs are eligible for:

• Reimbursement to help fund ICAC related expenses, including computer hardware and software
• Notification of and priority for sought-after ICAC related training, offered both nationally and in Wisconsin
• Investigative assistance from highly trained ICAC investigators and forensic computer analysts throughout the state
• Access to the national ICAC email group

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. "In the past decade, Wisconsin's ICAC Task Force and Affiliate Agencies have arrested 728 suspects, executed 1,017 search warrants, and rescued countless numbers of children throughout the state," said Van Hollen.

According to Van Hollen, there are more than 22,304 Internet protocol addresses in Wisconsin containing and offering to distribute known images of child pornography. One in seven children are asked online to engage in sexual activities, sexual talk, or provide personal sexual information.

Van Hollen has placed a priority on law enforcement's proactive response to the growing problem of Internet crimes against children. To that end, Van Hollen has directed a 67% increase in the number of special agents assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force within the Division of Criminal Investigation.

In addition to expanding investigative capacity internally, Van Hollen and the Department of Justice have continued to add additional local affiliates to the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force. The number of local law enforcement partners to the Department of Justice's ICAC Task Force has increased by more than five times to 137 since Attorney General Van Hollen took office. You can access a list of affiliates at http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dci/icac/afflist.asp.

"Let Internet predators take note. Our commitment is unceasing. We will identify you, arrest you, and take you off the street; we will follow you to every area of the Internet, no matter where you try to hide; and we will work together in law enforcement to stay one step ahead of you," said Van Hollen.

For more information on how your community can become an affiliate of the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force contact Michelle Dubois (608) 266-1221.