05/21/2026
A Boston Globe investigation published this week reveals the staggering scale of online child sexual exploitation in Massachusetts and how overwhelmed law enforcement has become trying to keep up.
Some of the findings:
→ MA State Police received more than 23,000 CyberTipline reports about child exploitation in 2025, a 77% increase in a single year
→ Prosecutors have run out of investigators to handle them and are hiring retired officers just to triage cases
→ AI tools are now being used to generate abuse material, and Massachusetts is one of only five states with no law against it
→ End-to-end encryption on major platforms is making it harder, not easier, for law enforcement to detect abuse
The investigation follows the case of a Boston-area schoolteacher found to have sexually exploited approximately 20 minors across the US, UK, and Canada, some as young as 12, largely through Discord, Xbox, and other everyday platforms children use.
The legal landscape around online child exploitation is still catching up to the technology. But families do have options.
At DiTusa LLC , we represent survivors of sexual abuse, including children harmed by adults in positions of trust. If your family has been affected by online exploitation or abuse, we are here to help you understand your rights.
➡️ Full investigation from The Boston Globe in the comments.
