Child Exploitation Notification Program
Report Child Exploitation
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
- Contact the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov.
- Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
About the Child Exploitation Notification Program (CENP)
As a part of the FBI’s Victim Services Division, the Child Exploitation Notification Program (CENP) manages the central database of identified victims of distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Since these crimes are investigated by many agencies, the CENP partners with numerous federal agencies, the U.S. attorneys' offices, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to ensure victims receive notifications related to federal investigations involving their images.
When a criminal creates CSAM, the victim may experience ongoing trauma when the images are shared online and viewed by others. By law, federal law enforcement and prosecutors are required to notify victims each time a federal case is opened against someone who may have created, traded, received, or possessed this material. The CENP uses the U.S. Department of Justice Victim Notification System to notify victims and ensure victims are aware of the rights and services to which they may be entitled.
(Note: The CENP was formerly known as the Child Pornography Victim Assistance [CPVA] Program.)
The amount and frequency of notifications can be overwhelming, especially as victims may have difficulty coping with the impact of the crime and its ongoing aftermath. As a victim (or parent/guardian of a victim), you have control over notifications sent by the Victim Notification System. You can determine if and how you receive notifications.
Parents and/or guardians will determine notifications for their minor children. Once a minor victim turns 18, they have the right to be notified directly and/or may provide written consent for someone else to receive notifications on their behalf.
Changing Your Contact Information or Notification Preference
If you have already been in contact with a federal victim services professional about case notifications, choose one of these options to update your information:
- Log in to the Victim Notification System using your victim identification number (VIN) and personal identification number (PIN).
- Contact your victim specialist at your local FBI field office.
- Contact a victim witness specialist at your local U.S. attorney’s office.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) Resources
- Coping with Child Sexual Abuse Material Exposure (PDF)
- Resources for Child Exploitation Survivors and Their Families
- You Are Not Alone Brochure (PDF)
- Team HOPE
Volunteers are family members of children who were once missing or have been sexually exploited. Volunteers are also adults who were missing or sexually exploited as children. With this knowledge and experience, they are able to offer peer and emotional support to those impacted by a missing or sexually exploited child case.- Visit missingkids.org/TeamHOPE
- Call 1-866-305-HOPE (1-866-305-4673)
- Family Advocacy Division
NCMEC’s masters-level trained advocates work to strengthen survivors and families by offering telephonic support when planning for prevention or managing a difficult situation. This family-centered approach helps create a collaborative environment to assist victims and families identify areas of need and find the right community-based resources to assist with healing and reconnecting.- Call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-394-2255)
- Visit missingkids.org/support
Other Resources
ChildHelp: National Child Abuse Hotline
This 24-hour hotline is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. It offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to local emergency, social service, and support resources.
- Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
- Visit childhelp.org/hotline
National Center for Victims of Violent Crime
NCVC works with local, state, and federal partners to provide support to crime victims, and also advocates for laws and public policies to secure rights, resources, and protections. The National Crime Victim Bar Association, a program of NCVC, also provides information on civil lawsuits against a perpetrator or other responsible party, as well as referrals for attorneys specializing in victim-related litigation.
- Visit victimsofcrime.org
- Victim Connect Resource Center: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
OVC is a federal office that provides funding to support victim assistance and compensation programs. OVC’s website provides victims with information, resources, and a directory of crime victim services.
- Call 1-800-851-3420
- Visit ovc.ojp.gov
