At Child Rescue Coalition’s 9th Annual Tech with Heart Gala, guests had the opportunity to hear from journalist and child protection advocate Chris Hansen as the keynote speaker. Known for his groundbreaking investigative work exposing online predators, programs such as To Catch a Predator and Takedown with Chris Hansen have made him a reputable journalist in the child protection community.

 

Before the evening’s program began, Hansen joined Child Rescue Coalition for a brief discussion on the evolving threat of online child exploitation and the critical role that technology, law enforcement collaboration, and public support play in protecting children.

His message was clear: as predators increasingly rely on technology to target children, those working to stop them must always stay one step ahead.

Technology in the Fight Against Online Predators

Online platforms have created new opportunities for connection and communication, but they have also given predators new tools to exploit and groom children globally as well.

According to Hansen, technology is now central to both the problem and the solution.

“Online predators are using technology to groom and exploit children every minute of every day around the world,” Hansen said. “So, we have to have just as much technology, if not more, to catch the predators.”

Child Rescue Coalition works alongside law enforcement agencies around the world to provide the technology, for free, and investigative tools needed to identify offenders targeting children online.

Through CRC Technology, investigators can identify offenders sharing child sexual abuse material, generate investigative leads, and help law enforcement agencies build stronger cases against those who exploit children. Ultimately leading to the arrest of harmful individuals.

“That is why the work with Child Rescue Coalition is so vital and so important in that mission of stopping online predators,” Hansen said.

The Importance of Law Enforcement Collaboration

Throughout his investigative career, Hansen has worked closely with law enforcement agencies to expose predators and support criminal investigations.

His experience has reinforced the importance of collaboration between journalists, investigators, and organizations focused on child protection.

“Doing predator investigations, originally To Catch a Predator and now Takedown with Chris Hansen, I’ve learned how important it is to collaborate with law enforcement,” Hansen explained.

While investigative reporting can expose predators, law enforcement plays the critical role of bringing offenders to justice.

“I can expose these guys,” Hansen said, “but they must be prosecuted. They must be sentenced and serve their time.”

That partnership is crucial to Child Rescue Coalition’s mission. By working alongside law enforcement agencies globally, Child Rescue Coalition helps provide the technology and investigative support needed to identify offenders and advance criminal cases.

“This cooperation is critical,” Hansen noted, pointing to the global collaboration between Child Rescue Coalition and law enforcement partners.

A Global Issue Affecting Every Community

One of the most important messages Hansen shared is that online child exploitation is not confined to major metropolitan areas.

“Online child exploitation goes on in every city, big and small, across the world,” Hansen said.

Through his investigative work, Hansen has conducted sting operations and reporting in communities of all sizes, from small towns to major metropolitan regions.

These investigations send an important message that predators can operate anywhere, and communities everywhere must remain vigilant.

“It’s important to send the message that law enforcement won’t stand for those who prey on our children,” Hansen said.

Finding Hope in the Fight to Protect Children

Despite the scale of the problem, Hansen remains hopeful about the progress being made to protect children online.

“What gives me hope is that there are groups like Child Rescue Coalition who have devoted their lives and careers to going after those who traffic and prey on children,” he said.

Along with dedicated law enforcement professionals around the world, we are working every day to interrupt the networks that allow exploitation to occur.

Through advanced technology, global collaboration, and public awareness, progress is being made to identify offenders and safeguard vulnerable children.

Why Support Matters

As Hansen emphasized during the discussion, organizations like Child Rescue Coalition play an important role in providing free tools and technology that help law enforcement combat online child exploitation.

“Organizations like Child Rescue Coalition do the work no one else can do,” Hansen said.

While law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to investigate these crimes, they often rely on nonprofit partners to provide specialized technology, training, and investigative support.

“Law enforcement does its best,” Hansen explained, “but they need that extra level of technology and extra level of help provided by organizations like Child Rescue Coalition.”

Your public support makes our work possible.

“Your donations bring that mission further down the line every time,” Hansen said. “It’s critically important that we continue to support Child Rescue Coalition.”

Advancing the Mission to Protect Children

Child Rescue Coalition remains committed to equipping law enforcement agencies with free tools they need to identify offenders, disrupt exploitation networks, and protect children online.

Through partnerships with investigators around the world, Child Rescue Coalition continues working to advance technology-driven solutions that help bring predators to justice and safeguard children worldwide.

As Hansen emphasized, protecting children online requires collaboration across sectors, from law enforcement and technology experts to journalists and community supporters.

Together, these efforts with law enforcement collaboration using our technology ensure that the worst of the worst criminals are put behind bars.

By donating to Child Rescue Coalition you are helping advance technology that empowers law enforcement to identify and stop online predators and rescue innocent children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Donate today!