From Survivor to Detective: Robert Shilling’s Lifelong Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse
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Lacey, Washington – For Robert Shilling, the fight against child sexual abuse is deeply personal. A survivor of abuse himself, Shilling has dedicated his life to rescuing thousands of children from the clutches of predators, turning his pain into a powerful force for good.
Now 73, Shilling’s journey from victim to detective is a testament to resilience and determination. His four-decade career in law enforcement, culminating in his role as head of Interpol’s Crimes Against Children Unit, has saved countless lives. But the cost of his work has been immense, leaving scars that still linger.
A Childhood Shattered
Shilling’s story begins with a dark chapter: he was sexually abused by his grandfather as a child. The trauma was so profound that he buried it deep within himself, locking it away in a corner of his mind. “It was too much to forget, but too much to let it consume me,” he recalls.
Instead of letting the pain define him, Shilling channeled it into a lifelong mission to protect others. He joined the Seattle Police Department, where he spent over 30 years, eventually leading the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit. His work there laid the foundation for what would become a global effort to combat child exploitation.
A Global Mission
In 2013, Shilling was appointed to lead Interpol’s Crimes Against Children Unit in Lyon, France. The team was small – just three officers and an intern – but their mission was monumental. On his first day, Shilling gathered his team and revealed his own history of abuse. “You’re looking at one right now,” he told them, shocking his colleagues but also forging a bond of trust and understanding.
Under Shilling’s leadership, the team worked tirelessly to identify and rescue children from abusive situations. They combed through Interpol’s child sexual exploitation database, a harrowing repository of millions of images and videos shared by law enforcement agencies worldwide. Using advanced software, they pieced together clues to locate victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
The work was grueling. Shilling and his team often had to watch and listen to videos of abuse, including the heart-wrenching screams of children. “It was physically and mentally exhausting,” he says. “But it was also the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.”
Over three years, Shilling’s team identified and helped rescue 5,420 children from around the world. Many of the victims were infants and toddlers, their innocence shattered by unimaginable cruelty.
The Toll of the Fight
The emotional toll of Shilling’s work has been significant. He has battled post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), struggled with alcohol, and faced challenges in his marriage. Even now, he attends monthly therapy sessions to cope with the trauma he has witnessed.
“When you see an infant or toddler being raped, it’s hard to wrap your head around,” Shilling says. “You want to climb through the computer and stop it, but you can’t. That helplessness stays with you.”
Despite the pain, Shilling remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting children. His work has not only saved lives but also shed light on the global epidemic of child sexual abuse. A 2018 report by Interpol and ECPAT revealed that 60% of unidentified victims in the database were prepubescent, including babies and toddlers.
A Legacy of Hope
Today, Shilling lives in Lacey, Washington, with his wife, Karen. Retired from the police force, he continues to advocate for victims and raise awareness about child exploitation. His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the impact one person can have in the fight against evil.
“I couldn’t change what happened to me,” Shilling says. “But I could use my experience to help others. That’s what kept me going.”
As the world grapples with the scourge of child sexual abuse, Robert Shilling’s legacy serves as a beacon of hope – a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable darkness, there is always a way to bring light
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