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The Hidden Risks: Protecting Children in a Hyper-Connected World

April 21, 2025

On April 15th and 16^th, Children’s Cove partnered with The Monomoy Regional School District, and The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell Phone Communication (IROC2) to provide education and digital mindfulness information to students from 3rd grade to 7th grade. Through our dialogue and conversation with students, one of the biggest takeaways for us highlights a serious misunderstanding of how much children understand about technology, the risks they face, and the even greater risks they may yet face in the future.

Richard Guerry, Executive Director and Speaker of IROC2, conducts his presentations with infectious energy so as to best engage with students. Some of the findings shared by students are surprising and certainly pose concern. When 3rd and 4th graders were asked if they knew what AI was, more than 60% of students raised their hands, were able to verbalize what AI meant – and to a certain degree, what it does. In all grade levels, the majority of students identified that they were what they self-described as “gamers”, additionally admitting that regardless of whatever rules there are in their homes, the majority of students communicated with other people online. Even more disturbing, not only to our team but for staff, teachers and administrators within the schools, is the fact that half of students who report playing a particular online game, also reported they have been hacked online or knew someone who had been.

What started as a simple exercise to engage with students led to the realization that children who haven’t even entered high school, who interact regularly with other people online, are already finding themselves engaging with people who mean to do harm. As Richard states in his presentation, “With new technology comes even faster methods of communication and innovation; these children are ultimately those who face all of the risks.”

Unfortunately for us this isn’t a new issue, but a constantly evolving one.  For many years, there has been an emphasis on educating teens about the risks of sexting and sharing nudes. This is still a critical issue, not only from the cases we have seen regionally, but direct disclosures from students in local schools and information gained from our Teen TASK Force members. While we need to continue to address these concerns of children sharing nude image and videos if we only act reactively, we are falling behind what’s next.

As a Children’s Advocacy Center, we must look at a broader scope of our work with all issues posing a risk to children. Nationally, we have seen the trends of sexual exploitation change significantly since the onset of Covid-19. With the rapid integration of the physical and online worlds, risk factors for sexual exploitation and human trafficking have shifted. Following a first of its kind study, there is evidence more children from different backgrounds are at a greater risk for sexual exploitation today as compared to before the pandemic.

A clear understanding of the definition of findings in this pre- vs. post-pandemic assessment is important as we adapt to an increasing electronic threat faced by our children. Researchers noted “CSE [child sexual exploitation] profiles of youth identified since the onset of the pandemic significantly diverged from profiles of young people identified prior to the pandemic …. A new profile emerged among youth referred for concerns of CSE since the pandemic which involved young people with mental health concerns (historically, and at the time of referral) who were identified as having exchanged sexually explicit media electronically.”

In summary, online facilitated crimes against children have skyrocketed on a national and local level with reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for online enticement of children increasing by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023.

This trend is reflected regionally as well. The Children’s Cove 2024 Regional Report on Sexual Exploitation of Children shows in past years we have seen that more than 90% of local cases contain an online element of communication or exploitation. What’s more, last year alone more than 50% of all cases referred to our centers were online only, meaning that they are exclusively sextortion or online exploitation without an in-person component.

What we warned our community about just under 5 years ago has grown exponentially, and we need to reinforce the fact that where children go, those who mean to do them harm will follow.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, the role parents play in the prevention of online facilitated crimes against children cannot be understated and must be effectively emphasized. We implore that every caregiver of children must understand the responsibilities they have for understanding technology and the integration of safety into children’s online lives.

In just this one group, Monomoy students are taught digital citizenship and safe technology use in school starting in Kindergarten, and they are not permitted to use cell phones or gaming devices at school — so this concerning activity largely happens in the home. It becomes critical, then, that parents, caregivers, and educators collaborate to help protect kids both in and out of school.

The times of simply taking away a child’s phone, computer, or internet privileges is long gone. The online world has become far too integrated into our daily lives to realistically enforce a blackout. Now is the time to change our concept of what “being online” entails, and recognize that all internet enabled devices are tools, and all tools carry an inherent risk or danger, most especially for children.

It is our responsibility as parents and caregivers to understand how these tools work, and to teach our children how to use these tools effectively and safely. We need to make certain children are understanding the importance of not sharing personal information online, and that ALL of their actions online are all Public and Permanent®.

Four years ago, Children’s Cove launched an initiative asking younger kids, teens, parents and caregivers to make a commitment to focus on the importance of their own online safety. Our It’s Up To You webpage shares numerous tools and technological safeguards you can review and use. With technology growing at the fastest rate ever witnessed, now more than ever is the time for our community to Take the Pledge and adopt an active role to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

Be smart and be safe online. It’s up to you to prevent online sexual exploitation of children.

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Sexual Exploitation of Children in Southeastern Massachusetts – The Regional Report for 2024

A Surge in Online Exploitation

February 25, 2025

This report, and the data and information included within was written with input provided by team members from Children’s Cove: The Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County – a program of JRI , and Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office Children’s Advocacy Center.

Background

The Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) for Cape Cod & the Islands, Bristol County, and Plymouth County work collaboratively with every branch of law enforcement and child protective services to provide a coordinated response to the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in our respective regions. Per state regulation, each Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has a response protocol and acts as the hub for cases which may involve a child at risk for, or who is actively being sexually exploited. Each of our centers works together and communicates regularly because often the children we support are victimized across our county lines. It is because of our unique roles and working relationship we see the trends which impact vulnerable children across our communities.

Each year our CAC’s look back at the previous year to identify the numbers, issues, trends, and information regarding the sexual exploitation of children in southeastern Massachusetts. This report contains facts, data, information and guidelines we believe our communities need to know to work together to create a future where children are free from abuse.

Defining the Issue

The term “human trafficking” for most, immediately brings certain images to mind. Perhaps these perceptions are from popular movies, awareness campaigns, or specific people or places. The issue is, however, far more complex and nuanced, and can be presented differently from region to region.

To start, this topic can seem confusing and full of nuance, but human trafficking can be generally broken down into two categories, labor trafficking and sex trafficking. Labor trafficking involves forcing a person to provide labor services whereas sex trafficking does not require an element of force but contributing or facilitating a person to engage in commercial sexual acts. In Massachusetts, “force, fraud or coercion” are not required for commercial sex acts for it to be considered human trafficking. For anyone under the age of 18, the definition is widely expanded due to the vulnerabilities inherent to this age group. Due to this fact, and in the interest of an accurate definition, we often use terms such as “sexual exploitation” to better capture these nuances of meaning.

Sexual Exploitation Can Fall Into Several Categories:

• Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC) occurs when a person under the age of 18 is offered or given something of value to them in exchange for some type of sexual act. It doesn’t have to be in person, and it doesn’t need to be money for it to be commercial sexual exploitation. Value could be anything to a child, this includes food, clothing, a warm place to sleep, better grades, vapes, alcohol, or other substances, a trip to a salon, or even a ride somewhere.
• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (a person less than 18 years old.) CSAM is much more than photos and videos; it is a form of exploitation and abuse documented and shared across the internet in perpetuity. Every time an image is viewed, shared, paid for, or downloaded, the child is being revictimized and a crime takes place.
• Sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation where a child is blackmailed with the threat of sharing with the public a nude or sexual images of them by a person who wants more images/ videos or money from the child. Because these images are CSAM, with a child being threatened, sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation of children.
• Online Enticement is when an individual communicates online with someone believed to be a child with the intent of committing a sexual offense or abduction.

Across all of these definitions, there are a few other notable constants. First, the perpetrator of the exploitation may, or may not be known to the child. This could be a stranger online, a current or former romantic partner, or a family member. Second, an exchange of something of value or images does not need to have taken place for it to be a crime. The act of offering or threatening someone for sexual exploitation is a crime in and of itself. Third, we must emphasize that all these circumstances are not just crimes, but child sexual abuse as well, which means that for mandated reporters in our Commonwealth there is a legal obligation to file a report for suspected abuse or neglect of a child if someone hears, knows or reasonably suspects this is impacting a child.

The State of Our Region

By The Numbers

Regionally, our centers had dramatic increase in referrals, with a staggering increase of 46% from last year. In 2024, regional CACs received 533 referrals, impacting 471 children. The youngest children impacted were from 4 years old, with 57 cases (approximately 10.7%) involving children 12 years old or younger. Most cases involved children between 13 years old and 17 years old, with 401 referrals (approximately 75%).  75 referrals for high-school aged adults make up the remainder of referrals (approximately 14%.) Of the referrals made, approximately 18% of youth were identified as male, 80% identified as female, and 2% identified as transgender or non-binary youth.

Key Data Points

After we reviewed and analyzed this data, we found several key points to highlight:

First, referrals took a significant jump in a calendar year. We are often asked, “is this because it is happening more, or is it being reported more often?” The answer to that question is complicated, however, to put it simply, we speculate that it is both. Regionally, our CAC’s have provided increased training on these issues to community members, youth serving professionals, and multidisciplinary team members. However, the dramatic nature of the rise also indicates cases have increased in frequency as well.

Second, the increase can also be attributed to more cases involving online facilitated crimes against children. In past years we have seen that more than 90% of cases, on average, contain an online element of communication or exploitation. However, last year more than 50% of all cases referred to our centers were online only, meaning that they are exclusively sextortion or online exploitation without an in-person component.  This is a significant rise and corresponds to the indication of a general increase in sexual exploitation happening more often.

Third, referrals for male victims have continued to increase year by year, with numbers up by 2% since last year. While this margin may seem insignificant, it corresponds to the ongoing theory and consensus that males are victimized at higher rates, because their rates of disclosure are significantly lower.

Trends and Patterns for 2024

Sexual Exploitation of Children Is Right Here

We cannot underscore the fact that exploitation of children happens right here in our own communities. This is not a “city” issue – Boston, New York, Miami or Las Vegas – but an issue in Hyannis, Brockton, Dartmouth, Mansfield, Berkley, Manomet, Yarmouth, Attleboro and more.  More importantly, very often children are being exploited in their own homes through online facilitated crimes. We need to emphasize this fact – when children have access to technology, they can explore the world, and the world has access to them.

This Issue Is Not Going Away

Last year, we looked back at more than eight years’ worth of data and found there had been an average annual increase in referrals for sexual exploitation of children in our region of 35%. Cumulatively, this equals over 2,000 children in our region referred for suspicions of sexual exploitation. Now, with data from 2024 analyzed, we have another year in which referrals have increased even more, with an alarming increase in Plymouth County which witnessed a nearly 80% rise.  As a note, referrals originating from one county does not mean that these cases are only restricted to one area. We often see cases crossing jurisdictions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Impacting Everything, Including CSAM

With the AI revolution unfolding over the last 18 months, a new form of victimization has become more mainstream. Individuals are carefully crafting “deepfakes” of children and teens to artificially create CSAM. Deepfakes are incredibly realistic videos or images that are manipulated using AI to make them appear real. Non-explicit images of children and teens are being manipulated by AI into content that appears real and exploitative. This is then being used for sextortion and manipulating youth to produce real content or to send money.

“Revenge Porn” a Rising Issue

Regionally, we have also seen an increasing rate of referrals for online sexual exploitation come in the form of peer-to-peer exploitation, often through means of sextortion or revenge porn. “Revenge porn” is a type of sexual abuse committed online by the sharing of nude or sexually explicit photos and/or videos of a person without their consent to shame or punish a current or former intimate partner. Other times, the threat of sharing this content is a way to control the person. Often the child being targeted is told their images will be shared directly with those who have meaningful roles in the child’s life, such as parents, teachers, coaches, members of their faith community or employers. It can be devastating to a person’s reputation, self-esteem, peer relationships, and wellbeing.

Fortunately, in June of 2024, Governor Healey signed into law An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation, which seeks to prevent abuse, increase protections for survivors, and educate youth about  “sexting”. This law further criminalizes and expands punishments for revenge porn, extends prohibition to deepfakes and AI generated images, and mandates education for youth surrounding these issues.

A Misunderstanding of Victimization

A common misconception of all forms of child sexual abuse is that those who are victims should and will report it. Unfortunately, that is not true. 90% of victims of sexual abuse and assault will never disclose their abuse.  In most instances this is because the perpetrator of abuse is someone the victim knows, cares about or trusts. Other reasons are because a victim has been threatened or harmed, or other people they care about have been threatened or harmed. Other times, a victim of abuse may not know that they are being victimized – they may have limited knowledge of sexual matters which prevents them from understanding what is happening is wrong. With sexual exploitation, all these factors could be true, including cases where those who may be experiencing homelessness may face sexual exploitation as a means for survival.

Additionally, with some victims there is an inherent trauma response which may physically prevent them from asking for help. Most people are familiar with the “fight or flight” response, however, there are two others: Freeze and Appease. Freezing is when the nervous system is activated, and the person is not able to fight or flee, and they may be unable to move or respond. Often this can lead to a victim disassociating and may not remember the abuse or trauma. Appease refers to when the victim responds to abuse by going along with the abuse to minimize additional violence or repercussions. This can give outsiders a perspective that the victim was “willing” to engage in the behavior, however, most survivors who react in this way are unsure or even unaware as to why they acted this way.

Unfortunately, we have seen cases where reports of children being exploited were delayed because of this misunderstanding. We implore providers and community members that if you have a concern, please report it.

What We Need Parents to Know

Parents and Caregivers are Critical for Prevention

Parents need to be informed, engaged, and open with their children to take steps towards preventing sexual exploitation. In our area, this begins with online safety, as online exploitation is the primary method by which youth are being exploited. It is critical for parents to be as involved in their children’s online lives just as they are in their sports and other school activities. Parents need to understand how to use the popular apps and platforms kids and teens are using. Cases of exploitation have taken place on all internet accessible devices, including video game consoles, school-based devices, and even apps associated with school use. If parents and caregivers don’t have regular conversations about online safety, and monitor all internet-enabled devices, the opportunity for exploitation to happen in plain sight remains high.

Have Conversations Without Judgment

It is important for kids and teens to know that if they make a mistake, they can have a calm non-judgmental conversation with their parents and ask for help. Children need to know that their parents will always believe in them, advocate for them, and put their health and safety first. Having ongoing and regular conversations about safety with kids and teens will help them feel supported, can provide reassurance, and increase their likelihood to ask for help.

As a parent, if a child does make a mistake and report that something happened to them, remain calm, and don’t take quick action like deleting images or messages. These may be important to effectively report an incident and get help. Contact your local police department or local Children’s Advocacy Center for guidance. If you see or suspect child sexual abuse material online or on social media, you can report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their Cyber Tipline.

In some cases, children have been threatened to stay compliant with the demands of an offender. It may be difficult for a child to come to a caregiver for help if they are fearful of threats. Staying calm and knowing how to act is crucial in helping a child who is a victim of online exploitation. The more parents and caregivers engage in their child’s online life; while discussing the risks of online sexual exploitation, the more likely children will confide in their parents when issues arise.

Please, make sure to thank children for coming to you for help.

Get the Education you Need

We recommend parents understand the privacy settings of online and social media applications to increase the safety barrier between children and potential exploitation. Have conversations about body safety, online safety, and identifying trusted adults they can ask for help.

Action Steps

We will not be able to stem the tide of sexual exploitation in our community without your help. We need you to:

• Ask your children’s schools, recreational programs/centers, summer camps, and other youth serving organizations to work with your local CAC for training in recognizing and responding to abuse.
• Reach out to your local CAC to ask how you can learn more about the issue, request or organize training for your local community, school, non-profit organization, or business.
• If you are concerned that a child is being exploited, report it right away! You can report suspicious behaviors to your local Children’s Advocacy Center, law enforcement agency or file a report with the Department of Children and Families.
• There are numerous online resources for online exploitation of children. Visit the website for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to learn more about these resources, including their Take It Down resource, which you can access here.

What We Are Doing

Through our regional partnerships with fellow Children’s Advocacy Centers, and with support from the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (the membership organization of the 12 Children’s Advocacy Centers in Massachusetts), we will continue to coordinate the investigative and support response for children who are victims of sexual exploitation throughout the commonwealth. In the last year collectively, our centers provided hundreds of hours to multidisciplinary professionals, law enforcement, prosecution and the community about recognizing, responding to, and the investigation of sexual exploitation of children. In addition to the training our staff provided, we offered a range of in-depth workshops, punctuated by powerful local and national speakers from the National Criminal Justice Training Center, the Zero Abuse Project, Internet Crimes Against Children investigators, federal and local prosecutors, judges, survivor speakers and victim advocates.

Regionally there have been concentrated efforts with law enforcement, The Department of Children and Families and our partner centers to enact the multidisciplinary response to children who may be missing or absent from care. Because of the high risk of exploitation, often in less than 24 hours of children going missing from home or placement, this regional response focusing on safety has become a priority initiative. This multidisciplinary response ensures that children receive the support they need, with an emphasis on health and safety, while also being able to respond to investigations promptly if the child is ready and able to engage in that process.

With the changing demographics and housing crisis in Massachusetts over the last year, our regional programs, in association with the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance, provided training for housing and emergency shelter staff throughout the region on how to recognize and respond to and signs of exploitation and trafficking.

With dedicated child exploitation response programs, as well as education and training of staff members, our ability to provide impact to our community and multidisciplinary partners is growing to stem the tide of sexual exploitation of children in our region.

We Are Your Local Resource

Sexual exploitation in our community and the risk to our children is increasing. If you want to learn more about how we are making an impact, would like to request training for your school or organization, or would like to learn how you can join us in tackling this issue, please contact us.

Children’s Cove | 508.375.0410 | www.childrenscove.org

Bristol County | 508.674.6111 | www.cacofbc.org

Plymouth County | 508.580.3383 | www.cac.plymouthda.com

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