‘Historic’ rise in online sexual exploitation of minors prompts call for crisis summit

By THE STAR STAFF

In response to the most recent cases of sexual exploitation of minors using social networks and online video game platforms, Rep. José Aponte Hernández on Wednesday called an emergency meeting with several agency heads, as well as personnel from the FBI.

The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate the protocols for prevention, detection and intervention in cases of sexual approaches by adults to children through electronic means.

Those cited would include Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes, Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés, Consumer Affairs (DACO by its acronym in Spanish) Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo, Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres, Police Superintendent Joseph González and Office of Innovation and Technology Services (PRITS) Executive Director Poincaré Díaz Peña, as well as members of the Child and Adult Human Exploitation Group of the Office of Homeland Security Investigations.

“Since 2012, we have been raising awareness about how online video games and social media serve as a gateway for unscrupulous and immoral adults to access and make contact with our children,” Aponte said. “Today, more than ever, these platforms are a favorite tool for sexual predators to meet minors. Therefore, we will be convening an emergency meeting to evaluate protocols for the prevention, detection, and intervention in these types of cases, and to determine what we, as the Legislative Assembly, can do to support efforts and propose new solutions to address these issues.”

Last week, the FBI warned of a “historic” increase in cases of “sextortion,” which is when an adult shares sexually explicit material with a minor.