Operation Round Table is an effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigation to capture producers and distributors of child pornography. So far, they have arrested 14 people and are constantly on the lookout for more offenders. Part of the operation is to identify and contact victims of Internet Sexual Exploitation. It is important to note that most of the victims they contacted weren’t even aware they were being exploited or victimized. To understand how people can be unaware of their own victimization, we need to take a look at the law regarding sexually exploitative material and children in Larimer, Boulder, or Jackson County:
What is Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child?
Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-405.4, is charged whenever a person knowingly invites or entices a child (using an internet network or phone network) under the age of 15 to engage in sexual activity (such as touching their own or another person’s intimate parts, or allowing the child to see their own intimate parts). The person who is accused of the crime must be at least four years older than the alleged victim.
[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”60%”]Many of the victims shared sexual photos of themselves, not knowing the images were being shared. [/pullquote]How Were the Victims of Internet Sexual Exploitation Unaware?
According to reports from the investigation, many of the victims of Internet Sexual Exploitation weren’t aware they were being exploited online. This is because many of the images were shared by the victims themselves. Many of the teenage victims shared nude or semi-nude photos of themselves with people they had met online who they thought were peers. These “peers” actually distributed the images or video around the world. Thus, the victims were exploited without their knowledge.
Young Teens Could Be Charged with Internet Sexual Exploitation
Your teenagers themselves could be charged with this sex offense in Loveland, Fort Collins, or Estes Park. If they convince their girlfriend to send them nude photos, and then show the photos to a friend, they could be charged with this sex offense (it is important to note that in order to be charged, the person who entices must be at least 4 years older than the victim). They could also face charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Child – C.R.S. 18-6-403, which is also known as possession of child pornography. Teens are extremely internet-savvy, and are usually more knowledgeable about the web than their parents or guardians. It is important to be open and discuss these crimes with your children so they can avoid being the victim of, or being charged with a crime.