In 2022, the CyberTipline received 32 million reports with over 88.3 million files of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). In addition, in 2021 Department of Justice-funded undercover systems detected more than 325,000 unique IP addresses distributing CSAM. However, due to a lack of resources and guidance less than 1% of all leads identified in undercover databases are currently under investigation.

The Project Safe Childhood Act will require the U.S. Attorney General to develop and disseminate best practices for the prioritization of cases involving online child sexual exploitation. The bill will also fund an additional 20 federal prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice dedicated to these cases.

“The Project Safe Childhood Act is a critical piece of legislation that RAINN has worked hard to move forward,” said Scott Berkowitz, RAINN founder and president. “Passing in the Senate is a milestone—and now we call on the House and its newly-appointed speaker to do their part to protect children and provide the tools we need to prosecute and eradicate child sexual abuse material.”