By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters), – Friday, the U.S. Deputy attorney General Lisa Monaco ordered federal prosecutors sharing tips and better coordination with local law enforcement regarding ongoing violent or sexual abuse crimes against minor children.

Monaco said in an Oct. 1, memo that U.S. prosecutors must “be mindful of our duty of promoting public safety when there might be an ongoing danger of violence or harm for victims.”

She stated that this duty is more crucial than any other when vulnerable populations, including minors, are in danger.

The Justice Department didn’t say why the policy was changed.

This comes just weeks after the FBI faced criticism in a highly publicized hearing before the U.S. Senate. The hearing featured testimony from prominent gymnasts such as McKayla Maroney, and Simone Biles. They spoke out about how the FBI did not properly investigate the allegations of sexual abuse made against Larry Nassar, former USA Gymnastics doctor.

An internal Justice Department watchdog discovered that many errors were made by the FBI in its Nassar probe investigation. The FBI failed to conduct interviews with victims and did not notify local authorities about allegations of abuse.

Michigan state officials were ultimately the ones who arrested and charged Nassar with sexually abusing young children. Federal charges were later brought against the United States for Nassar’s possession of sexual abuse materials.

Monaco wrote Friday that his department encourages prosecutions of “all offenses” related to sexual abuse and exploitation of children. But, Monaco also stated in the memo that “our obligation not only to protect crime victims but ensure public safety doesn’t end even when the federal government can’t bring its own charges.”

On Friday, she also issued a second memo directing the Crime Victims Work Group of the Department to reconvene and instructing officials to make revisions to its policy manual regarding how it meets its obligations to victims.

The memo was issued just days after an inspector general for the department found problems with the FBI’s notification of child victims when they are photographed during federal investigations.