OR intensifies child sex crime battle

by David Krough, kgw.com Staff

kgw.com

Posted on August 3, 2010 at 2:27 PM

Updated Wednesday, Aug 4 at 8:08 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. — Child sex criminals were put in the cross hairs by the federal government Tuesday with new tools for law enforcement in Oregon.

Department of Justice officials on Tuesday released a report on the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction.

Law enforcement wants to focus on prevention of child pornography, online enticement, child sex tourism and sexual exploitation on Native American reservations.

U.S. Marshals Service targeted the top 500 most dangerous, non-compliant sex offenders in the country. In Oregon, a full-time deputy marshal was added as the Sex Offender Investigations Coordinator.

“Sometimes an investigator needs to step back and take a look and communicate with other agencies that are also working on it. The goal in the end is to bring all these individuals to justice,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Cory Cunningham.

The agency also created a new database to coordinate efforts statewide. The department also re-launched a website to combat sex crimes against children at ProjectSafeChildhood.gov.

Multnomah County Commissioner Dianne McKeel applauds to the focus on child exploitation, but believes the Portland Metro is also in desperate need for a shelter to house and treat the victims of the child sex trade.

“The shelter is a safe place for them to be and it’s also learning the skills that you need to go out into the world,” said McKeel.

McKeel believes newly approved federal funding could have a local shelter open within a year.

If you or anyone you know need help recovering or escaping from the child sex trade, the Sexual Assault Resource Center can be reached 24 hours a day. 503-640-5311.