Prosecutions & Enforcement
Law enforcement is fighting back — but the scale of abuse still far outpaces arrests.
1,052
DOJ PSC Press Releases (2025)
Source: DOJ
293
Arrested (Op. Relentless Justice)
Source: DOJ
12,600+
ICAC Arrests FY2024
Source: OJJDP
89,400+
Cumulative ICAC Arrests
Source: OJJDP
DOJ Project Safe Childhood Press Releases
2025 set a new record — 54% increase since 2016
Source: DOJ Project Safe Childhood
Operation Relentless Justice
A landmark DOJ coordinated enforcement action targeting online child exploitation networks.
293
Individuals Arrested
205
Children Located / Rescued
100+
Federal Agencies Involved
ICAC Task Force Program
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is the nation’s primary coordinated response to online child exploitation.
61
Regional Task Forces
5,400+
Affiliated Agencies
12,600+
Arrests FY2024
89,400+
Total Arrests Since 1998
Cumulative Impact (Since 1998)
- ▸844,600+ complaints investigated
- ▸89,400+ arrests made
- ▸61 task forces operating across all 50 states
State-Level Enforcement
Indiana
- Indiana ICAC Task Force conducted 1,200+ investigations in FY2024
- State AG established dedicated child exploitation unit
- Mandatory minimum sentences for possession of CSAM
California
- LA Regional ICAC is the nation’s largest task force
- CA DOJ CATCH unit (Combating Trafficking and Child Exploitation)
- AB 1394 requires social media platforms to report CSAM within 24 hours
Conviction & Sentencing
- ▸Federal CSAM production charges carry 15–30 year mandatory minimums
- ▸Federal conviction rate for child exploitation cases exceeds 95%
- ▸Average federal sentence for CSAM distribution: 8–10 years
- ▸Lifetime sex offender registration required upon conviction
Sources: DOJ Project Safe Childhood · OJJDP ICAC Task Force Program · FBI · State AG Reports