John,

Shared Hope is taking immediate action to prevent and respond to the exploitation of children online. I ask you to join us.
 
So many kids are vulnerable to online exploitation since the COVID-19 crisis erupted. Screen time has skyrocketed for children who are home so much more … and tragically, so have reports to the CyberTipline (the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children) of suspected child sexual abuse.
 
NCMEC has experienced a 90.46% increase in CyberTipline reports between January and June 2020 versus the same time period last year.
 
John Shehan, NCMEC Vice President, shared, “COVID-19 has presented challenges and opportunities in the fight against child sexual exploitation. In the first quarter of 2020, NCMEC became aware of predators openly discussing the pandemic as an opportunity to entice unsupervised children into producing sexually explicit material. At the same time, we experienced an explosion in reporting to our CyberTipline from both the public and electronic service providers, all while transitioning to a telework environment.”
 
As you stand with us today, we will not let the abusers exploit our children. Contact your elected officials today to ask for their support in passing the EARN IT Act!
 
Our work on children’s behalf is more vital than ever before! Shared Hope is educating and equipping friends like you to recognize the signs, report suspicious activity, and keep kids safe online.
 
I think of a youth who was recently successfully discharged from our community partner’s safe house.
 
He came to us broken — a young boy who was being used by older men through a dating app.
 
While he was with us, he participated in both individual and family therapy. He also attended school without issues and even played on the soccer team! He went to church often and found hope and joy in attending youth group.
 
Because of your support for Shared Hope:
—This young man was finally able to be a kid for the first time in a long time.
—He learned how to be safe and make healthy decisions.
—He was given tools to heal, reunited with his family, and put back on solid ground.
 
It’s with kids like him in mind that we’re actively supporting the EARN IT Act in Congress, which aims to increase protections for kids online by requiring tech companies to “earn” their liability protection by complying with best practices for preventing and responding to online sexual exploitation of children.
 
The EARN IT Act:

1. Does not undermine encryption or mandate government surveillance;
2. Rather, it puts pressure on tech companies to put practices into place that protect children from predators and allow perpetrators to be identified and apprehended.

There is simply no excuse for inadequate and inconsistent efforts to stop the appalling abuse of children online.
 
Children can be protected, but we need you standing with us! Visit the Shared Hope Advocacy Action Center now to tell your elected officials to pass the vitally important EARN IT Act! Join us in supporting this banner legislation … and protect your children and grandchildren online.
 
Linda Smith
Founder and President
 
P.S. If you’ve already contacted your elected officials regarding the EARN IT Act and would like to further support the work of Shared Hope, please give generously today.
 
You will help us stand in the gap for victims and survivors … and save lives. Thank you in advance for your compassionate gift!