A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER: FINDING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
This year has been one of the most challenging of my life. I’ve faced private battles, significant setbacks in our mission, and personal heartbreak that I never saw coming. I had struggles that I can’t even state here from a personal, business, and nonprofit realm. Here are a few…. My 15-year-old dog, my daughter’s closest companion, passed away. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to part ways with two of my best employees due to financial problems. Each day felt like climbing a mountain with no summit in sight. This is just a glimpse of the weight I’ve carried this year.
So why am I sharing this with you? Because even in my darkest moments, one constant beacon was always guiding me forward-The Innocent Lives Foundation. When everything around me was unraveling, our work became my anchor. Knowing that our efforts were protecting children from unimaginable harm gave me purpose and a sense of stability when everything else felt uncertain.
The scale of what we are fighting against is overwhelming, but it’s crucial for you to know. Here are some numbers that are hard to even fathom:
- Facebook flagged 56.5 million pieces of child sexual abuse material in 2023.
- Instagram flagged 15.4 million pieces.
- TikTok flagged a staggering 125.6 million pieces.
- YouTube removed 11.3 million accounts and 221.3 million comments related to child exploitation.
* https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/child-abuse-online-statistics
These numbers are not just statistics-they represent the ongoing, pervasive threat to our children. And this is why our work at ILF is far from over.
Our team works tirelessly daily to unmask predators and bring them to justice. Every case we file means another step toward protecting the most vulnerable among us. But we cannot do this alone. We need people like you-people who are angry, disgusted, and ready to take action. People who refuse to turn a blind eye to this crisis.
I’m reaching out today with a heartfelt plea: We need your support to keep our mission alive. We need donors, advocates, and warriors who will stand with us in this fight. If you or someone you know can help, please reach out. Your contribution could be the difference between safety and harm for countless children.
Together, let’s turn our outrage into action. Together, we can be the light that guides these innocent lives to safety. Thank you for standing with us!
With gratitude,
Christopher Hadnagy
CEO and Founder
BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THIS REPORT PERIOD
Chris Hadnagy
Timothy Maloney
Douglas Ash
Joy Beland
ABOUT THE INNOCENT LIVES FOUNDATION
The Innocent Lives Foundation is a charity that identifies online child predators to help bring them to justice. As a non-vigilante organization that partners worldwide with law enforcement, our vision is a world where all children can live innocent lives. Using innovative online investigative techniques, ILF’s team hunts down the worst of the worst — pedophiles, sexual predators, and human traffickers — and then provides critical evidence and identifying information to U.S. and international law enforcement agencies to aid in their capture and arrest. Founded by renowned social engineer Chris Hadnagy (aka “The Human Hacker’’). The foundation’s board of directors includes such notable figures as Douglas Ash an executive with more than 30 years of experience in senior positions, Timothy Maloney our Attorney and chairman of the board, Dr. Kathie Mathis a CEO with over 35 years of administrative and mental health experience, Stephanie Paul an executive, coach, actress, director, and producer, and Erin Gray an internationally known actress, speaker, writer and founder of “Heroes for Hire.”
Children are our beneficiaries.
While we count on our contacts and love our donors, we exist to serve endangered children. When making decisions, policies, and planning for the future, we first ask, “How will this affect children?”
Never educate a predator.
There are many successes we wish to share with the public, but we must ask ourselves, “If this information is published, will it make a predator harder to catch?” If the information does not serve the best interest of the children we protect or gives a predator new ideas, we will not release the information.
Operate above reproach.
Our team of professionals operates under strict guidelines and regulations inside a heavily monitored virtual environment. Adherence to this framework is vital and enforced— if we deviate from our procedures, a predator could go free.
No vigilantism.
We believe that vigilantism often causes more harm than good. Predators take advantage of loopholes to avoid prosecution. By not engaging in vigilante behavior, these loopholes do not exist. There is no room for vigilantism when a child’s future— and possibly their life— is at stake.
Protect the emotional health of the ILF.
Our team is routinely exposed to soul-crushing subject matter during ILF investigations. To guard the emotional health of our team members, everyone must participate in the ILF Wellness Program. Formal sessions with our Wellness Director are scheduled regularly, and additional sessions are highly encouraged.
A Father's Call for Help
- You Protect Children: Every ILF case represents the possibility of reclaiming a child’s future. Through advanced investigation techniques and partnerships with law enforcement, the ILF transforms fear and uncertainty into safety and justice. When you support the ILF, you contribute to real impact-identifying predators, preventing harm, and providing families with the peace they need to recover and thrive. Your involvement makes these life-changing interventions a reality.
WARNING
The following true story describes accounts of child sexual abuse from a case worked by the Innocent Lives Foundation. This content is disturbing. Please be emotionally prepared before proceeding.
We have changed names, locations, and other identifying information for the safety of the victims and the Innocent Lives Foundation team.
Today, parents have the never-before-seen difficulties of shielding their kids from risks on the internet. When we see statistics like, “It is believed that more than half a million pedophiles are online every day,” the need for the mission of the Innocent Lives Foundation becomes undeniable. The ILF is dedicated to assisting families in navigating these risks by geolocating and reporting child predators to law enforcement, providing education to families, and providing highly specialized education to law enforcement.
This year we received a “report-a-case” request from the ILF website from a frantic father asking for help with his teenage son. The father was lost, concerned, and scared because his son’s behavior had changed dramatically and quickly. In addition to experiencing extreme mood swings and some violent behavior, his son had begun engaging in inappropriate online activities.
Understanding the urgency of the request, our CEO and Founder, Chris Hadnagy, promptly contacted the father and made it clear that the ILF was fully committed to providing all possible resources and support. He explained the steps the ILF would take to assess the situation, investigate the son’s online activities, and work with law enforcement agencies to protect his son from further harm.
As ongoing conversations with the father unfolded, a clearer picture of the situation began to emerge. It became evident that his son had fallen victim to Online Enticement.
These predators had exploited his son’s vulnerabilities, leading him to
inappropriate and harmful interactions online. The behavioral
signs of this case and in many others include-mood swings, violent behavior, and secretive online activity.
Recognizing the urgency and gravity of the situation, the ILF acted swiftly, assigning the case the highest priority. Our team of investigators
began a thorough analysis of the son’s online activities, gathering crucial evidence that confirmed he had been targeted by online predators. The ILF team compiled a comprehensive report that was then submitted to the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Just a few days after the case submission, the ILF received a response from a federal agent, who assured Chris that the case had been accepted and was being actively pursued by law enforcement.
This quick response was a positive and reassuring step forward for the family. However, Chris knew that the father needed ongoing support throughout the process. He remained in close contact with him, providing updates and emotional support as the investigation progressed. This constant communication helped the father navigate the stressful circumstances. It reassured him that law enforcement was fully committed to bringing those responsible to justice while keeping his son safe.
The Impact On The Family And The Community
In a heartwarming turn of events, the father shared his gratitude with us, informing us that his son was receiving help, had escaped the clutches of these groomers, and was improving. The father’s message below says it all:
“I wanted to pause for a moment to say thank you for all your help… The program he was just at has helped him break his addictions and given him the tools to work through his emotions. It has been incredible. The last 6 months have been dramatic, and inside all of that, you have been an anchor of support. Thank you for all you do.”
We were recently informed that two arrests had been made concerning this ILF case!
Why We Share This Story
We share this story because it exemplifies the very heart of our mission at the ILF: protecting children and helping families navigate the complexities of raising children in the digital age. This story is a powerful reminder of how collective action-driven by the unwavering dedication of ILF volunteers and our hard-working law enforcement partners-changes lives. Thanks to these efforts, a family that once felt lost and overwhelmed is now safe and on a journey toward healing.
The recent arrests made in connection with this story underscore the impact of the ILF mission and highlight the importance of timely intervention. Each ILF case is not just a statistic; it represents preventing further harm and the possibility of reclaiming a child’s future. With perseverance and support, real change is possible.
The ILF identifies predators; YOU make it possible!
HOW TO HELP
There are endless opportunities for you to join the ILF in the fight against child sexual abuse. When you donate your finances, network, or time, each contributes value to the mission and enables the ILF to continue identifying child predators.
RAISE AWARENESS
Keep up with us on social media and share us with your online network!
BE A FUNDRAISER
With peer-to-peer fundraising, you get to join the ILF in the fight against child sexual abuse. Sign up as a fundraiser, set a goal, and keep track of the funds you raise over time by tying your account to Facebook or Streamlabs. Become a fundraiser today!
FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS
ILF Barrel Pick Club
This year, the ILF Barrel Pick Club has become a major highlight for our community. Along with our partner Unicorn Auctions, three extraordinary barrels were picked with renowned distilleries, Four Roses and Starlight. This culminated in an unforgettable Weekend of Whiskey, made even more special by the help of the talented Aisha Tyler. We’re incredibly grateful to Aisha for her continued support, and to the distilleries for inviting us to add the ILF name to such amazing whisky. Be sure to follow us on social media for your opportunity to support the ILF by purchasing these amazing bottles!
ILFest 23
ILFest 2023 was an unforgettable virtual experience for both our team and our dedicated supporters. It was a joy to connect with our online guests and viewers from across the globe. Your participation and generosity throughout the event truly made a difference, reminding us once again that our audience is the real hero behind the Innocent Lives Foundation. Through engaging virtual activities and heartfelt moments, ILFest 2023 brought together a community committed to protecting children.
Thank you to everyone who tuned in, participated, and donated. Your support continues to empower our mission, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the future!
Ending Child Exploitation Gala
The first Ending Child Exploitation Gala was a remarkable success, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible.
Hosted by the legendary LeVar Burton, the event brought together a passionate community committed to raising awareness and holding child predators accountable. We are deeply grateful to our honorees, sponsors, attendees, and all who supported the mission, helping us make significant strides in protecting the innocent.
We want to express our deep gratitude to our sponsors-Henkels and McCoy, Searchlight Cyber, Social Engineer LLC, Unicorn Auctions, Maloney Law, P.C., KnowBe4, and Dukas Auctioneer Group-for their generosity.
A special thanks you goes to our band, The Action Figures, whose stellar
performance was one of the night’s highlights. With celebrities Greg Grunberg, Adrian Pasdar, Scott Grimes, Drew Powell, Jack Colman, Brad Savage, and Nick Marzock, their music brought tremendous energy to the event and left a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
Finally, we want to take a moment to recognize the dedication of our incredible team members who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.
