Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council

08/24/2026

⭐ Nominations are now open for the 17th Annual Polaris Star Awards!

Help recognize the individuals, organizations, law enforcement professionals, advocates, educators, and survivor champions making an extraordinary impact in the fight against human trafficking.

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, October 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Award recipients will be announced in November, with the ceremony taking place January 22, 2027, at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Orlando.

Learn more and submit a nomination:
https://www.research.ucf.edu/htms/polaris-star-awards/

Let’s ensure those leading change, protecting victims, and strengthening our communities receive the recognition they deserve. ⭐

08/24/2026

DATAC Human Trafficking Awareness Series | Week 3 of 12

The Internet Never Sleeps

Human traffickers don’t always start with force.

Sometimes they start with a message.

Traffickers often use social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps to build trust before exploitation begins.

Common Online Grooming Tactics

📱 Excessive compliments or attention

🎮 Meeting children through online games

💬 Moving conversations to private messaging apps

🎁 Offering gifts, money, or gaming credits

❤️ Pretending to be a boyfriend, girlfriend, or trusted friend

🤫 Asking children to keep secrets

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📚 Research Spotlight

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), the CyberTipline received more than 1.4 million reports of online enticement in 2025, highlighting the growing use of digital platforms to target children.

Polaris reports that traffickers frequently use online platforms to build trust and manipulate victims before exploitation.

⸻

⚖️ Delaware in Action

Delaware strengthened protections for children through Gavin’s Law (SS1 for SB 142). The law enhanced protections against online child exploitation and strengthened law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute offenders who use technology to target children.

Protecting children online requires education, strong laws, and community awareness.

⸻

🤝 What You Can Do

Talk with the children in your life about:

✔️ Online friendships

✔️ Privacy and personal information

✔️ Never keeping online relationships secret

✔️ Telling a trusted adult if an online conversation makes them uncomfortable

One conversation today could prevent exploitation tomorrow.

Recognize. Prevent. Protect.

⸻

Delaware Crime Stoppers Human Trafficking Tip Line
📞 1-833-823-3733 (1-833-U-BE-FREE)

New Castle County Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7)
📞 (302) 395-2727

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

datac.delaware.gov

The Anti-Trafficking Action Council (DATAC) leads the fight to end human trafficking in Delaware. Find resources, reports, victim services, awareness campaigns, and policy updates, all working to stop this terrible crime.

08/20/2026

5th Annual FREE Network In-Person Working Group 🤝

United Abolitionists is proud to co-lead this year's working group alongside BRIGHT and SAFE, bringing partners together for a strategic planning meeting focused on 24/7 crisis response.

📅 October 14
🕥 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
📍 Sons of Italy Lodge

Separate registration is required for each participant, which is available at the link below.

🔗 stophumantrafficking.com/etn/5th-annual-free-network-in-person-working-group/

08/20/2026

Meta faces a landmark federal trial in California over allegations ...

08/20/2026

PSA - S*x Offender Notification

This information is provided in order to protect the individuals under your care, in compliance with legislation which is commonly referred to as Megan's Law. The law permits police agencies to post community advisory bulletins, listing the name, address, and descriptions of the offenders who MAY pose a risk to the community. This is NOT a Wanted Bulletin and is intended for ADVISORY PURPOSES ONLY. Any person who uses the information contained herein to threaten, intimidate, or harass the registrant or their family, or who otherwise misuses this information, may be subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability.

08/19/2026

Maryland Man Arrested for Illicit S*xual Conduct with 12-Year-Old Delaware Resident

As alleged in court documents, Majdi Jones, 22, communicated with a 12-year-old victim over Snapchat, exchanged n**e photographs with the victim, and arranged to meet for s*x.
Investigated by FBI - Baltimore with New Castle County Police.

Read the USAO-District of Delaware release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-de/pr/maryland-man-arrested-illicit-s*xual-conduct-12-year-old-delaware-resident

08/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C8rXoPAL4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A former senior investigator for West Virginia’s Commission on Special Investigations plead guilty on Tuesday to the production of child po*******hy.

https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/kanawha-county-wv/former-west-virginia-commission-on-special-investigations-senior-investigator-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-charge/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WOWK_13_NEWS

08/17/2026

CONSENT IS NOT COMPLICATED.

Consent must be voluntary, informed, and ongoing. It can be withdrawn at any time. Silence, coercion, or incapacitation are not consent.

The numbers matter:

• 1 in 4 women have experienced completed or attempted r**e.
• Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced unwanted s*xual contact.
• More than 11 million women and 1 million men have experienced alcohol- or drug-facilitated r**e.

Consent to one thing is not consent to everything.
Consent yesterday is not consent today.

Consent must be present—every time.

*xualViolencePrevention