Facing impeachment, Mayorkas rolls out campaign to combat online child exploitation

Record ID: 1819204

  • Title: Facing impeachment, Mayorkas rolls out campaign to combat online child exploitation
  • Date: 17th April 2024
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (APRIL 17, 2024) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, SAYING: "[ENTERING BRIEFING] "Today, the Department of Homeland Security is launching a new first of its kind, national public awareness and education campaign to help stop one of the most heinous and most urgent threats to our children - online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The campaign is called 'Know2Protect.' Its importance cannot be overstated. The cruelty and prevalence of this horrific crime are unimaginable." WIDE OF BRIEFING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, SAYING: "Last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 36 million cyber tips from reports around the world. The volume of incoming reports has increased more than 20% over the past three years. The number of urgent, imminent reports involving a child at risk of imminent harm has grown by more than 140% over that same time frame. Almost 64,000 such reports were received last year alone. The scourge covers the world from India to Pakistan to Philippines to Australia, and Europe and here at home in the United States. In too many places, the web growing darker and darker." WIDE OF BRIEFING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, SAYING: "We need everyone working together with us to forge an all of society effort against a global epidemic of online child exploitation and abuse. That is why we are launching 'Know2Protect.' As part of this campaign, we are rolling out new free resources and tools that children, their parents and loved ones, their peers, and the trusted adults in their lives can use to learn of the dangers and how to guard against them. How to stay safe online. How to report suspicious activity to law enforcement and how to seek help. These free resources are available right now at 'know2protect.gov.'" WIDE OF BRIEFING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS, SAYING: "[REPORTER ASKING ABOUT IMPEACHMENT OF MAYORKAS] "So, Andy, the Senate is going to do what the Senate considers to be appropriate. As that proceeds, I'm here in New York City on Wednesday morning, fighting online child sexual exploitation and abuse. We are focused on our mission. Our mission is imperative to keep everyone safe and secure." CLOSE OF MAYORKAS'S FACE MAYORKAS WALKING OUT
  • Embargoed: 1st May 2024 15:41
  • Keywords: Alejandro Mayorkas Department of Homeland Security Mayorkas impeachment Times Square child exploitation
  • Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001592117042024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The United States Secretary of Homeland Security was in New York Wednesday (April 17) to launch a new campaign to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
    The campaign will be known as, "Know2Protect," and will make available tools and resources for children and parents on how to navigate the web and notify law enforcement.
    In Mayorkas's telling, the problem has become an epidemic.
    "The volume of incoming reports has increased more than 20% over the past three years. The number of urgent, imminent reports involving a child at risk of imminent harm has grown by more than 140% over that same time frame," he noted.
    Mayorkas was also questioned about the impeachment bid against him.
    "The Senate is going to do what the Senate considers to be appropriate," he said "As that proceeds, I'm here in New York City on Wednesday morning, fighting online child sexual exploitation and abuse. We are focused on our mission. Our mission is imperative to keep everyone safe and secure."
    (Production by: Andrew Hofstetter and Dan Fastenberg)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register