State investment will expand technology and speed investigations to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.
The State of New Jersey has approved an increase of $2 million annually to strengthen its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force budgets, marking a critical investment in protecting children from online exploitation and abuse.
The expanded funding will allow ICAC Task Forces across New Jersey to expedite investigations, purchase critical and innovative technology, and streamline the process from report to rescue, ensuring more children are protected from online predators.
As access to technology rises — with U.S. households averaging 25 connected devices (Deloitte, 2024) — the volume of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and CyberTip reports has surged. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received over 29.2 million CyberTips in 2024 alone, while globally, dozens of CSAM images circulate online every 60 seconds (NCMEC, 2024).
“This funding sends a clear message: New Jersey is committed to protecting its children and giving law enforcement the tools they need to stop online predators, rescue children faster, and hold offenders accountable,” said John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven. “We are proud to see the state prioritize children’s safety with sustained, investment.”
This funding increase demonstrates New Jersey’s deep commitment to protecting its children in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
This expansion is part of Raven’s broader legislative strategy to address online child exploitation proactively — ensuring laws and funding prevent abuse wherever possible while enabling swift rescue when prevention fails.
For media inquiries, contact:
Brenna Pitman
Director of Development
brenna@raven.us
