Cyberwatch Update
After my conversation with Nikki this weekend, she sent me a list of quick-hit tasks that we can perform here in the Cheddarsphere. Soon, she will be getting information to me on procedures for many of these tasks. Anyone interested in helping seek out internet predators and putting a stop to them should send me an email. I don't post the email address directly on the blog, because the spam bots are evil. You can find it in my profile. Or, if you have my regular (non-blogging) email address you should use it.
The current list follows. Expect others to be added.
- Finding blogs in that persons area, and posting there to let them know where they can view the case, what it is we do, and that there's a predator posted who lives in their area. - That would help a lot, as far as raising awareness and getting the word out.
I REALLY like this idea. If a predator is in Detroit, for example seeking out a sympathetic Detroit blogger could help draw attention to the case locally.
- Using the name, address or phone number that we've verified to search for records on that individual, and posting the results in follow up.
"Follow up" is a section of the US Cyberwatch forum. It's one of the ways that they keep track of cases.
- E-mailing relevant organizations; For example, if a guy from Detroit, MI is posted, find the child advocates in that area, nearby schools, etc., and alert them to his file.
Easy task. Only time involved.
- Doing online searches based on his screen name and/or e-mail. That can often turn up a LOT of info.
Another relatively easy task.
- On cases where a child predator or molester goes free, (such as the recent cases in Vermont and Mass.) , gathering info for elected officials from the local level, to state, to federal, and then providing that info so that the public can easily contact them and speak up on the issue.
- Public relations and media contacts are always helpful. The more that people become aware of this issue, the less freedom these predators will have, and, hopefully, parents will watch their children a lot more closely.
- Just linking the file on the blog does a whole LOT of good, because it enables people to see the reality of this issue, when they otherwise may not have.
- We, most often, have to run a reverse lookup on the cell number of the predator posted.
- There are many types of searches that can be done online including looking for past criminal history, employment, etc. The list goes on and on. All of this can be done from home, whenever people have the time, and it would be a great help!
- Donations.
This is a feature to be added, because USC has been strictly volunteer up to this point. Nikki tells me that they will be accepting donations soon, to help with the expenses related to traveling for court cases and fees for services that they use.
The current list follows. Expect others to be added.
- Finding blogs in that persons area, and posting there to let them know where they can view the case, what it is we do, and that there's a predator posted who lives in their area. - That would help a lot, as far as raising awareness and getting the word out.
I REALLY like this idea. If a predator is in Detroit, for example seeking out a sympathetic Detroit blogger could help draw attention to the case locally.
- Using the name, address or phone number that we've verified to search for records on that individual, and posting the results in follow up.
"Follow up" is a section of the US Cyberwatch forum. It's one of the ways that they keep track of cases.
- E-mailing relevant organizations; For example, if a guy from Detroit, MI is posted, find the child advocates in that area, nearby schools, etc., and alert them to his file.
Easy task. Only time involved.
- Doing online searches based on his screen name and/or e-mail. That can often turn up a LOT of info.
Another relatively easy task.
- On cases where a child predator or molester goes free, (such as the recent cases in Vermont and Mass.) , gathering info for elected officials from the local level, to state, to federal, and then providing that info so that the public can easily contact them and speak up on the issue.
- Public relations and media contacts are always helpful. The more that people become aware of this issue, the less freedom these predators will have, and, hopefully, parents will watch their children a lot more closely.
- Just linking the file on the blog does a whole LOT of good, because it enables people to see the reality of this issue, when they otherwise may not have.
- We, most often, have to run a reverse lookup on the cell number of the predator posted.
- There are many types of searches that can be done online including looking for past criminal history, employment, etc. The list goes on and on. All of this can be done from home, whenever people have the time, and it would be a great help!
- Donations.
This is a feature to be added, because USC has been strictly volunteer up to this point. Nikki tells me that they will be accepting donations soon, to help with the expenses related to traveling for court cases and fees for services that they use.
7 Amendments:
Aaron, I wanted to thank you for coming up with the idea of using the efforts of bloggers to help stop online child predators. The more people involved, the better. I'm really excited about this and am looking forward to seeing it in action.
J
Aaron,
Thank you for all of the time and effort you're putting into this. We really appreciate it! The more people that are involved, the better. For every one contact that we make, it creates a chain reaction, and the more awareness is created, the more parents will sit up and take notice and hopefully watch their kids more closely. And, every time a predator hears about a cause like this, it's our hope that they'll become much less likely to approach children online.
This is an awesome way of getting the word out! Thank you, Aaron!!
If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact Aaron, or us at the e-mail provided for USCW admin.
Thanks!
I giess i'm still confused about this a bit.
Will you guys be pretending to be kids in chatrooms?
Aaron,
Thanks so much for helping us out! I've never taken time to read any blogs before, but some of what I've read is extremely thought provoking! Thank you for wanting to share in our efforts to keep kids safe from those who would prey on them. There are plenty out there, believe me! Thanks, too, for challenging others to participate! We can never have too much help in this war on online predators.
Annie - USCW
Will you guys be pretending to be kids in chatrooms?
USCW has a small group of people that do this. It's a tough job (and Nikki has rigid quality control guidelines), and I can't recommend that anyone try it.
What I'm proposing is that we take care of the other stuff (see the list), so that the people who are good at this can focus on what they do best!
This is a good tool to find current offenders. http://mapsexoffenders.com/index.asp. This site shows where these people are.
Go to any chatroom provider to find these people. They are everywhere. I have turned in a few, but there are a lot more.
That's a good resource, Brent. And Aaron, thank you for this. We're excited about it!
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home