Violent online networks are increasingly targeting vulnerable children and youth, coercing them into producing and sharing graphic content including gore, animal cruelty, self-harm, violence, and in some cases child sexual abuse material.
This webinar equips professionals with critical insight into this emerging threat, specifically those working within and amongst our Indian Country vulnerable victims. This will also include offender dynamics, victim vulnerability, unique challenges, impacts on victims, forensic interviewing considerations, and strategies for addressing secondary traumatic stress for Multidisciplinary Team members working these cases all through the lenses of the unique considerations for IC professionals.

The FBI is actively combatting Violent Online Networks (VON). These groups often promote sadistic online exploitation (SOE) and Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE). Members of these violent online networks methodically target the most vulnerable individuals and coerce them into producing violent and/or sexually explicit material. The FBI partners with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and various international task forces to investigate these crimes and prosecute offenders.
 
The FBI has reported opening investigations into more than 350 individuals affiliated with VON associated predators who befriend minors or other vulnerable people and coerce them to create sexually explicit material and commit acts such as harming themselves or animals. All 56 FBI field offices have investigations into these violent networks with some investigations impacting Tribal communities.
 
During this webinar, participants will learn about the increase in FBI reports of technology-facilitated victimization by violent VON groups, the unique characteristics of the cases and related considerations for forensic interviews, and strategies for addressing secondary traumatic stress for Multidisciplinary Teams providing services in these cases.

This webinar is available to all federal, state, and tribal criminal justice and social services personnel as well as Tribal leaders and interested community stakeholders. There is no charge to attend the webinar. CLE will not be provided.

This training is a joint effort hosted by federal law enforcement agencies responding to violent crime in Indian Country. Sponsoring agencies include the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Indian Country Training Initiative, the United States Indian Police Academy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security’s Victim Assistance Program.