Eric Szatkowski, Special Agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

            While the Internet offers a world of educational and entertainment options for young people, it also has a dark and dangerous side we must be aware of. Eric’s presentation on the online exploitation of children includes real-life examples and practical advice for anyone interested in the safety and well-being of our children. An eye-opening live demonstration of chat rooms is included. (Due to the nature of the subject, this presentation is appropriate for adults only).

            Eric has been a Special Agent with DCI since 1991. He is currently assigned to the Wisconsin's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Milwaukee. Eric’s law enforcement experience also includes murder-for-hire, cold-case homicides, death investigations, anti-government groups, fugitives, and narcotics enforcement.

 

            Since 1999, Eric has become one of the nation’s leading undercover officers in apprehending sexual predators of children who use the Internet to seduce or exploit children. He has been responsible for the arrest of more than 100 men from Wisconsin and around the nation, most of whom traveled various distances to have sex with what they believed to be an underage boy or girl. Eric’s arrests also include those who sexually assault children, distribute, possess, and/or manufacture child pornography, and expose children to harmful materials. 

            Eric has instructed on Internet crimes against children to more than 31,000 people in Wisconsin and the U.S. Audiences include police officers, prosecutors, child welfare advocates, correctional and social workers, civic groups, business professionals, doctors, school officials, teachers, parents and students. He has testified in court as an expert in the online sexual exploitation of children, and has provided assistance to dozens of law enforcement agencies in this area of police work.

           

            Eric’s work has been recognized by many organizations, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators. Some of Eric’s cases have been featured in numerous media outlets, including Cold Case Files, People Magazine, and CNN Tonight with Connie Chung. He has been interviewed on Internet predators by dozens of television and radio stations, newspapers, and magazines. 

SUGGESTED WEBSITES TO VISIT FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/ (Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry; identify them in your community)

www.cybertip.org (Report suspicious/inappropriate online activity to national authorities)

www.ncmec.org (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; includes contacts for educational materials)

www.netsmartz.org (Interactive site for ages 5 through 17 sponsored by NCMEC)

www.getnetwise.org (Information for parents about computers and online safety)

www.netfamilynews.org (“Based on the premise that informed, engaged parenting is essential to kids' constructive use of technology and the Net.”)

 

www.safekids.com (“Your family's guide to making the Internet and Technology fun, safe and productive.”)

www.netlingo.com (Chat and computer terms, definitions, slang, acronyms)

www.spectorsoft.com (Example of monitoring software)

 
www.guardiansoftware.com (Example of monitoring software)

www.fbi.gov (Go to link called “For The Family” and then to Internet safety)