Tim Tebow urges Congress to create 'Rescue Team' to fight child sex trafficking

On Wednesday, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow urged members of Congress to pass a bill that would create a "rescue team" for victims of child sexual exploitation.

Tebow testified about his fight against child sex trafficking through the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF) and requested Congress to dedicate greater resources toward finding and rescuing victims.

The request comes after FBI whistleblower, Steve Friend, testified to Congress last year that he had been ordered to stop investigating child sex trafficking cases so that he could investigate parents voicing concerns at school board meetings.

Speaking before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, Tebow explained that the bill would create a "rescue team" that would be equipped with financial support, resources, and technology to help rescue victims of child exploitation.

The rescue team would consist of a team of analysts who would locate and protect minors who have been seen in sexually abusive imagery.

The measure would increase the United States Department of Homeland Security and Interpol's training capacities on the subject, as well as modernize the International Child Sexual Exploitation database, allowing authorities around the world to keep up with the expanding global threat. It would also create a position within law enforcement agencies that would solely focus on victim identification.

In addition to Tebow, Jim Cole, who worked to establish the Victim Identification Program and Laboratory at Homeland Security Investigations' Crimes Center, also testified and told Congress that there are not nearly enough resources available to address the scope of this matter.

The testimonies on Wednesday received bipartisan support from the House subcommittee.

Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona said, according to NY1, "The United States has a duty to protect our children from becoming victims of these despicable acts."

Democrat Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania praised the effort and urged the house to pass the "lifesaving" bill.

"It seems clear that we must evolve our focus to stress more on the victim-centered prosecution, although that will require dedicated additional resources," she said. "Law enforcement should not have to choose between rescuing children and finding criminals."

The Tim Tebow Foundation has been leading the charge in rescuing child sex trafficking victims. The foundation worked alongside multiple law enforcement agencies last summer during "Operation Renewed Hope." The operation spanned over the course of 15 days and 316 victims were rescued and/or identified.

In Sept. 2020, the Trump administration granted the Tim Tebow Foundation $100 million for task forces, victim services, and victim housing. The month prior, the Justice Department gave the foundation $35 million to help victims attain secure housing.