Sun Feb 09 07:39:05 UTC 2025: **Former Interpol Officer Who Rescued Thousands of Children Reveals His Own Past Abuse**
LACEY, WASHINGTON – Robert Shilling, a 73-year-old former law enforcement officer, has dedicated his life to rescuing children from sexual abuse, a journey deeply rooted in his own traumatic childhood experience. After a four-decade career culminating in leading Interpol’s Crimes Against Children Unit, Shilling has revealed that he was sexually abused by his grandfather between the ages of 12 and 16.
During his three years at Interpol (2013-2016), Shilling and his team identified and helped rescue 5,420 children who were victims of sexual assault worldwide. They meticulously analyzed millions of images and videos in Interpol’s child sexual exploitation database, using clues like electrical sockets and soft drink brands to pinpoint the children’s locations. Shilling describes the work as physically and mentally exhausting, stating that he will never forget the children’s screams.
The impact of his work on Shilling has been profound. He battled PTSD, impacting his marriage and leading to periods of heavy drinking. He only recently began openly discussing his experiences. Shilling’s decision to pursue a career in law enforcement, he believes, was directly influenced by his own abuse. He worked his way up the ranks of the Seattle Police Department, eventually heading the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit before joining Interpol.
Shilling’s journey involved confronting his own past. He eventually forgave his grandfather and his mother, who witnessed his abuse but failed to intervene, after learning she too was a victim of the same grandfather. This experience profoundly impacted his approach to his work at Interpol, where he shared his own history of abuse with his team to foster empathy and understanding.
Since retiring from Interpol, Shilling co-founded the Brave Movement, a global network supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The organization advocates for legislative changes, such as raising the age of consent and extending statutes of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault cases. Shilling’s life story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of overcoming trauma to help others. He continues his work advocating for child protection and supporting survivors.
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