ICE, Argentine officials, global child protection organization train to combat sexual exploitation of children
Red 24/7 launched by Buenos Aires Ministerio Publico Fiscal to catch predators
U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Noah B. Mamet and Buenos Aires State Attorney Martin Ocampo speak at inauguration of international training; Buenos Aires State Attorney’s Office Red 24/7 Director Javier Concepcion, U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Noah B. Mamet, Buenos Aires State Attorney Martin Ocampo and ICMEC Director for Law Enforcement Trainings & Technology Guillermo Galaraza
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Noah B. Mamet and Buenos Aires State Attorney Martin Ocampo welcomed more than 150 law enforcement officials from throughout Argentina Monday for a one-day international training focused on combatting the online sexual exploitation of children.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Southern Cone of the Americas Attaché Office co-hosted the event with the Buenos Aires Ministerio Publico Fiscal’s investigative unit known as Red 24/7 and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), which has trained more than 7,000 law enforcement and first responders from more than 115 countries to more effectively investigate cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Law enforcement experts from the United States and Argentina traveled to Buenos Aires to partake in the training. Judges, prosecutors and investigators, representing various states throughout Argentina, participated.
Experts from ICMEC, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE) provided numerous presentations discussing cutting-edge technology in the fight against online sexual exploitation of children.
Ambassador Mamet said, “The United States and Argentina stand united as we tell child predators that they will be brought to justice. We are here to send the message that we will work together to find them, arrest them and ensure they never hurt another child.”
“Protecting children from online sexual predators is paramount,” said Buenos Aires State Attorney Ocampo. “Last year alone, we tragically saw a 125 percent increase in these types of cases. Thus far this year, we’re approaching 800 cases. Trainings such as these are critical in helping us build the networks we need to operate quickly.”
“When it comes to protecting children, there are no barriers or borders to stop us,” said HSI’s Southern Cone of the America’s Attaché Eddie Agrait. “We are committed to working with our Argentine counterparts in this important global fight.”
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or international number at 802-872-6199.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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