Dear Vermont Internet Consumer,

I am writing to introduce you to a newly created statewide task force designed to bring together resources from local, state, and federal agencies to address the emerging problem of child exploitation via the Internet.  In recent years Vermont, along with the rest of the nation, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of computer and Internet users and a parallel increase in the number of crimes in which a computer and the Internet is used, in many cases to exploit children by facilitating the trade of child pornography or by allowing perpetrators to lure children into illicit relationships.

Vermont has begun operating an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on a statewide basis, effective in January of 2000.  The task force is designed to investigate Internet crime and, in cooperation with the Governor’s Committee for Online Safety, to provide the public with information and resources to enhance the safety of Vermont’s children as they travel the “information superhighway.”  In coming months, we hope to make available a number of resources to assist parents, educators, and youth in making their online journeys safer and more enjoyable.

Should you have any questions about this project or wish to make a case referral, please contact us at (802) 652-6858 or at mschirli@dps.state.vt.us.

I look forward to working closely with members of the Vermont Internet community in strengthening our ability to respond to computer and Internet crime and in making the Internet a safe and rewarding place for our children.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Schirling, Detective

ICAC-VT Task Force Coordinator

For information only