Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $300,000 to Protect Children from Internet Crimes

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Maine State Police have received a total of $307,604 to prevent, investigate, and prosecute Internet crimes against children.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. 

“Far too many children across the nation are at risk of exploitation online,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “This funding will support the Maine State Police’s efforts to prevent and respond to online criminals who target our children.  We commend the members of the Maine State Police for their unwavering dedication to the safety of Mainers and their efforts to adapt and respond to the changing nature of 21st century crime.”

The investment supports state and local law enforcement task forces dedicated to developing responses to online enticement of children by sexual predators, child exploitation, and child obscenity and pornography cases.  The ICAC was established by the PROTECT our Children Act of 2008, which was co-sponsored by Senator Collins.  In 2017, she joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the STOP Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, legislation to ensure that websites such as Backpage.com, which enable sex trafficking, are held liable and brought to justice.  Companion legislation was signed into law in 2018.  

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