In a powerful display of international cooperation, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) hosted a five-day operation in Alexandria, Virginia, aimed at identifying victims of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and supporting ongoing investigations into child exploitation.
The October 2025 initiative brought together 33 victim identification experts from the United States and around the world, combining their knowledge, technology, and investigative techniques to help law enforcement locate and protect victims of online child abuse.
During the operation, the team made significant progress — sending 137 referrals to law enforcement agencies to help identify and rescue potential victims of child sexual exploitation. According to NCMEC, that amounts to an average of more than 25 children identified per day.
So far, seven children have been positively identified as victims, and officials believe that number will continue to rise as the investigations unfold.
“Every identification means a child who can now receive the help and protection they need,” NCMEC said in a statement. “This operation shows what can be achieved when experts around the world work together for one cause — protecting children.”
The organization emphasized that these joint efforts demonstrate the growing importance of technology and collaboration in addressing online crimes against children.
NCMEC continues to encourage the public to report any suspicious online activity involving minors to its CyberTipline at report.cybertipline.org
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