The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is partnering with NASCAR to protect the children of Alabama from online sexual exploitation.
The partnership is a part of the DHS’s "Know 2 Protect" campaign.
As part of the campaign, DHS will have an information booth and agents on hand at the NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday and Sunday.
Know2Protect is a national public awareness campaign to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse, explain how to report online enticement and victimization, and offer resources for victims and survivors.
Know2Protect also includes an in-person educational program called Project iGuardian, which teaches children, teens, and adults in schools, community groups, companies, and nonprofit organizations about the ongoing threat children and teens face from online predators and prevention strategies to make the internet a safer place for the children and teens.
Steven Schrank, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta that covers Georgia and Alabama, told 1819 News on Friday, “We need to make sure that we go about these scenarios in a way that our investigators can go after these child predators and put them behind bars.”
“I’m regularly concerned because not a week goes by that our investigators are not bringing to me a new case that involves the online sexual abuse of children and the activity and the perceived anonymity with which predators operate online targeting our kids across communities that really crosses all socioeconomic areas and geographic areas is really challenging,” he added.
To learn more about the campaign go to Know2Protect.gov.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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