Why we have to exist.

Investigators have the will to protect children. They shouldn’t have to fight for the resources to do it. We exist to help close that gap so limited funding doesn’t limit their response.

01THE GAP IN FULL

The volume of reports keeps climbing. The network built to investigate them is working with less federal funding than it had two years ago. That distance between the crime and the capacity to fight it is the gap, and it is where cases stall.

2M+

U.S.-linked reports of suspected child sexual exploitation

Of 21.3 million reports NCMEC received worldwide, more than 53,000 were escalated as urgent, a child in imminent danger.

NCMEC · 2025

347K

Investigations by the 61 federally funded child exploitation task forces

6,200 federal, state, local and Tribal agencies take part. 17,000 arrests followed in the same year.

Task forces · 2025

1.6M

Cases untouched due to lack of funding, resources and manpower

1.4 million reports in 2025, and an average of 137 financial sextortion reports every day.

NCMEC · 2024 to 2025

−15%

Federal funding for child exploitation task forces

$42.4 million in FY2023. $39.9 million in FY2024. $33.9 million in FY2025. Down two years running.

OJJDP · FY2024 to FY2025

Reports rose heavily. The funding declined.

Online enticement reportsFederal task force funding

Sources

Reports (white line, left axis): National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), CyberTipline data, calendar years 2023–2025. Reports are not unique victims or investigations.

Funding (red line, right axis): U.S. Department of Justice, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, funding FY2023–FY2025 and caseload FY2025.

Government budgets cover salaries and standard equipment. They don’t cover case-specific forensic tools, emerging-threat training, cross-jurisdictional work, or the capacity to clear evidence backlogs.

02The gap in action

The difference the resources make

Investigators have the will to pursue these cases. The difference is whether they have the resources to move them forward.

Without resources

Reports wait in a queue no one has time to clear

Seized devices sit in the evidence backlog

Investigators split time across too many cases

Cases sit open

Victims go unidentified

Offenders stay active

With Operation Light Shine resources

Cases advance

Process digital evidence in days instead of months.

Victims identified

Identify and recover victims faster.

Offenders arrested

Build cases that lead to arrests and convictions.

→The gap is closeable

03THE TURN

The need is real. So is our ability to make an impact.

Behind every result is a dedicated investigator, supported by people who believe in their mission. Operation Light Shine brings together the resources, technology, and partnerships that strengthen their work. And when communities stand behind those protecting children, more becomes possible.

Together We Protect.

Together We protect.

Join the Mission →Donate Now →

Rescue More Victims | Arrest More Offenders | Empower The Fight