PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD

Nationwide operation launched to prevent child exploitation




SAN DIEGO - The first-ever national operation targeting the top 500 most dangerous, non-compliant sex offenders in hopes to prevent child exploitation was announced by the U.S. Marshals Service.

As part of the overall strategy announced by Attorney General Eric Holder, the U.S. Marshals Service is launching a nationwide strategy to prevent child exploitation and U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy in San Diego Monday applauded the effort.

Additionally, the Department of Justice will create a national database to allow federal, state, tribal, local and international law enforcement partners to share information and conduct analysis on dangerous offenders and future threats and trends, Holder said.

Although meaningful progress has been made in protecting children and bringing a record number of offenders to justice in recent years, Holder said it is time for authorities to renew their commitment to the work.

Duffy, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, said her office will aggressive investigate and prosecute people who target children for sexual exploitation.

"Our prosecutors stand resolute in working with the District's law enforcement partners to prevent children from becoming victims of crime,'' she said.

As part of its public outreach efforts, the DOJ is re-launching the Project Safe Childhood
, public website.

PSC is a department initiative launched in 2006 that aims to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children.