The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has announced a $1 million grant from Google in support of its efforts to reduce and prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

Designated by Congress to serve as the nation's clearinghouse on issues related to missing and exploited children, the center will use the grant to advance efforts to support law enforcement working on cases of child sexual exploitation and greater protection for children. For nearly a decade, the center has been working with Google and other tech industry leaders to develop cutting-edge technology designed to combat the online sexual exploitation of children.

The grant was awarded as part of Google's $5 million effort to eradicate child abuse imagery online. Google also has established a $2 million Child Protection Technology Fund to encourage the development of new tools and help existing organizations connect to one another.

"We know that the threat to children from predators is very real because we see it every day in the work that we do," said the center's CEO, John Ryan. "Thankfully, we also have the opportunity to see people who are committed to protecting children and stopping those who would harm them. Google has made looking for solutions to this problem part of how they do business and we are grateful for that generosity. I know their contribution will have a direct impact on the lives of children around the world who are being victimized."