Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Chronicle : Creswell & Cottage Grove. (Creswell, Ore.) 2019-current | View Entire Issue (April 9, 2020)
28 — THE CHRONICLE community BE S A F E SOUND SURE & MORE KIDS AT RISK Education and law enforcement leaders are warning parents, educators, caregivers, and children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and signs of child abuse. • Online sexual exploitation comes in many forms. Individuals may coerce victims into provid- ing sexually explicit images or videos of them- selves, often in compliance with offenders’ threats to post the images publicly or send the images to victims’ friends and family. • Other offenders may make casual contact with children online, gain their trust, and intro- duce sexual conversation that increases in egre- giousness over time. Ultimately this activity may result in maintaining an online relationship that includes sexual conversation and the exchange of illicit images, to eventually physically meeting the child in-person. • In order for the victim- ization to stop, children typically have to come forward to someone they trust – typically a parent, teacher, caregiver, or law enforcement. • Offenders may have hundreds of victims around the world, so coming forward to help law enforcement identify offenders may prevent countless other incidents of sexual exploitation. • Abuse can occur offline through direct contact with another individual. During these uncertain conditions, where time with other adults and caregivers has increased immensely, parents/guardians should communicate with their children about appropriate contact with adults and watch for any changes in behavior, including an increase in nightmares, withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, depression, not wanting to be left alone with an individual, and sexual knowledge. RECOMMENDATIONS • Parents and guardians should discuss internet safety with chil- dren of all ages when they engage in online activity. • Review and approve games and apps before they are downloaded. • Make sure privacy settings are set to the strictest level possible for online gaming systems and elec- tronic devices. • Monitor children’s use of the Internet; keep electronic devices in an open, common room of the house. • Check your children’s profiles and what they post online. • Explain to children that images posted online will be permanently on the Internet. • Remember that victims should not be afraid to tell law enforcement if they are being sexually exploited. It is not a crime for a child to send sexually explicit images to someone if they are compelled or coerced to do so. • Teach your children about body safety and boundaries. • Encourage your children to have open communication with you. • If your child discloses abuse, immediately contact local law enforcement for assistance. • Children experiencing hands-on abuse may exhibit withdrawn behav- ior, angry outbursts, anxiety, depres- sion, not wanting to be left alone with a specific individual, non-age appropriate sexual knowledge, and an increase in nightmares. THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 COMMUNITY The Chronicle has worked with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Scott Denham in Creswell to help raise awareness and help protect people from criminals. I R S R E L I E F C H EC K S “Taxpayers should be extra vigilant for unsolicited phone calls or emails concerning their economic impact payments,” said Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle field office. The IRS will begin to distribute COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments in a matter of weeks. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account. For the unbanked, elderly or other groups that have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payments in this manner as well. WHERE TO GET HELP •The Division of Financial Regulation has set up a COVID-19 insurance and financial services page to help answer consumer questions. For more information on investment schemes related to COVID-19, visit the North American Securities Administrators Association news page. •If you believe you have been a victim of a COVID-19 scam, visit justice.gov/coronavirus to report it to the U.S. Department of Justice. •If you have a question or concern about an investment product or advisor, contact the Division of Financial Regulation advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.financialserviceshelp@oregon.gov. SEE SOMETHING? •Submit a tip to the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov •If it’s a cyber scam, submit your complaint to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov •Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov VICTIM REPORTING •Contact your local law enforcement agency. •Contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. •File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 800-843-5678 or online at cybertipline.org. DOMESTICE VIOLENCE •Contact your local law enforcement agency. •Contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. •Contact the National Domestice Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or online at thehotline.org/help S GT. S CO T T S AYS Five Things to know during the COVID-19 pandemic 1. CRIMINALS ON THE PHONE Bad actors continue to get creative when send- ing phishing and social engineering emails, and now they are not only sending emails with titles relating to “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19” they are CALLING people on their work phones and cellular phones. The scam- mers leave automated messages stating, “Your computer is at risk and a $300 auto debit will be taken from your account if you do not call this number immediately.”This is a scam! As with any “urgent” email asking for money or personal information, Lane County and any legitimate vendor (Microsoft, Apple, College, Social Security Office, financial institution, etc.) will NEVER email or call you and ask for personal information or an urgent payment.” 2. CLAIMS OF CURES You might encounter people claiming to have a top-secret vaccine or miracle cure, or claiming to offer government assistance or economic relief. These false claims are scams intended to scare people into sharing their personal information. 3. L O C K D OW N YO U R I N B OX Do not open emails, click links, or open attach- ments from anyone you do not know. Do not share your personal or financial information with anyone you do not know. 4. D O N ' T D OW N L OA D If an email requires you to download something in order to view Coronavirus charts and maps, it is an attempt to get people to download malware onto their device. No download is required. These maps are avail- able from Johns Hopkins University at coronavirus.jhu. edu/map.html 5. WAT C H YO U R WA L L E T Many crooks use the market downturn to convince people to invest in products with a guaran- teed or very-high return, including investments tied to COVID-19, such as medical supplies, vaccines, and other treatments. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask three questions before making any investment: • Is it being offered with little or no risk? • Is there a sense of urgency or limited availability? • Is the person or the investment registered? Livestream the City Council Meeting APRIL 13 AT 7 PM Tune in on the City's YouTube channel or on the City's Facebook page c i . c r e s w e l l . o r. u s • 5 4 1 - 8 9 5 - 2 5 3 1 • f a c e b o o k . c o m / c i t y o f c r e s w e l l
