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Prevention · Intervention · Support

Combating online child sex abuse and exploitation in all its forms

SOSA — Safe from Online Sex Abuse is a nonprofit organization working to create a safer world for kids.

A SOSA investigator and a sheriff's deputy reviewing evidence together during an operation

Prevention, intervention, and support

SOSA combats sex abuse at every stage — before it happens, while a perpetrator is actively offending, and after harm has already taken place.

01 — Prevention

Education for families, schools, and communities

Education is key in stopping online sex abuse before it happens. We use our community presentations and extensive social media following to share info on red flags to look out for, strategies for enforcing online safety, and common abuse tactics.

Request a training

02 — Intervention

Undercover operations with ICAC task forces

When kids are experiencing harm online, SOSA works directly with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces to stop that abuse. In collaboration with law enforcement, we create decoys, communicate with adults contacting minors (ACMs), identify perpetrators, and compile evidence so offenders can be stopped. We also work with tech companies to help them build safer platforms for their users.

Learn more about how our undercover operations work

03 — Support

Support for survivors

After online sex abuse has taken place — whether recently or years in the past — SOSA provides support to survivors. We share information about how to report, direct survivors to key resources, and provide free therapy to those who otherwise would not have access to professional support.

Resources for survivors

How our operations work

Law enforcement gets a successful undercover operation. Prosecution gets a case that holds.

SOSA conducts undercover operations in direct partnership with ICAC task forces. We tailor each operation to fulfill the standards required by the prosecutors assigned to our cases.

Before we launch, the SOSA team establishes relationships with the county DA and ICAC department in order to conduct our efforts following the rules of engagement for prosecution.

How our operations work
01

Rules of engagement

Before an operation begins, we work with the county DA and ICAC department so that it meets the requirements for prosecution.

02

Airtight evidence

All evidence is logged and uploaded within four hours of a message being sent or received, and law enforcement is given access to follow the conversation in real time.

03

Testifying at trial

Our founder is present for every operation and testifies in court, under both direct and cross examination.

04

Training for departments

We present at ICAC conferences and departments on conducting operations and building believable undercover accounts.

On YouTube

SOSA Undercover

The continuation of Undercover Underage, our new series SOSA Undercover follows the SOSA team through our latest cases. Released on our own channel, SOSA Undercover is currently in its fifth season, additionally airing in the UK as Predator Files on Crime & Investigation.

Roo Powell working a case during an undercover operation

On HBO Max

Undercover Underage

The series that started it all. Roo Powell and her team partner with ICAC task forces across the country to identify and arrest child predators, with the full operation shown from planning to arrest.

Undercover Underage key art

What people are saying

“I’m 15 and have been groomed since I was 11. Your videos have given me the bravery to speak up. Without your channel, I would have stayed silent and thought my abuser loved me.”

Survivor

“I teach middle school and learning how their technology can lead kids to these ACMs helps me understand how to explain cyber safety to my students at their level. [The show] is also helpful for me to recognize red flags in things my students may share with me about who they interact with online.”

Middle school teacher

“I found this channel yesterday. I’ve been a cop for 23 years and I can tell you that you ladies are doing phenomenal work that is saving lives.”

Law enforcement officer

Get involved

Passionate about supporting our work? Here are a couple of suggestions for how to help.