2019 Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children Victim Services Specialist

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program, is to develop or enhance crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies to better support victims through the criminal justice process including connecting them with community-based direct victim services programs to more quickly and more effectively serve them. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) – Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) manages the Wisconsin Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force within their Human Trafficking Bureau. The WI DOJ – ICAC Task Force is a small agency, consisting of 16 full-time sworn agents, 3 sworn supervisory Agents-in-Charge, and a sworn Director who serves as Commander of the state’s Task Force. The Bureau personnel have statewide jurisdiction, and counter the threat of offenders using technology to sexually exploit children. The ICAC Task Force partners with law enforcement, prosecutors, and community members to investigate, educate, and drive prevention efforts for child victimization issues involving technology. Wisconsin’s ICAC Task Force helps restore victims to a more safe and secure immediate existence through identifying and arresting offenders in these investigations. As part of this process, the Task Force makes sure the child victims are safe and provided with support and resources for the criminal justice system. This ICAC Victim Services Specialist project will offer restorative services and safety resources by trained individuals from a more comprehensive perspective, and will provide follow up support and referrals to victims and their families in all counties throughout Wisconsin to help restore them after victimization. CA/NCF