RCMP are taking the opportunity to educate the public and advise of successful charge and conviction of charges related to Internet Child Exploitation.
In 2015 Northwest Territories RCMP Major Crimes Unit began an investigation into reports of child pornography and exploitation. The investigation revealed youth were coerced into providing nude photos through social media. Charges of child luring, extortion and possession of child pornography were laid against an adult. The adult plead guilty in court and was sentenced to 3 years jail.
A publication ban is in effect, under s.486.4 of the Criminal Code, the names of the victims and witnesses or any information leading to the identification of the victims or witnesses cannot be published or broadcast or transmitted in any way.
The RCMP is not releasing the name of the accused, or the jurisdiction in which the crimes were committed to protect the identity of the victims and cautions anyone who would do so they may contravene the publication ban.
"While it is difficult to report on crimes this serious without stating dates, places, and the name of the accused, it is more important that we protect the victims. This was a case that had multiple victims and jurisdictions, and it is equally important the public is aware that these types of offences can take part in any part of Canada, including the Northwest Territories", states Marie York-Condon, Northwest Territories Media Relations.
"We want any potential victims to know that if they believe they are being exploited, they can come forward and we can investigate the file thoroughly," she continues.
RCMP would like to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of teaching internet safety for children and youth.
Using the Internet to entice youth (anyone under the age of 18) to meet for sexual acts or to help arrange sexual encounters is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada.
adult communicating with your child in a sexual manner needs to be reported to police. Remind children that the people they talk to on social media and the Internet aren't always who they say they are. Teach children to alert you and report to police anyone who talks to them sexually, who sends your child nude images/videos, asks your child to send sexual images/videos of themselves and or asks them to meet offline in person.
Speaking to children about Internet Child Exploitation is important and should be started at a young age as soon as they begin using computers, smart phones and the Internet. Create a family media agreement for discussing safe practices for online behaviour. There are many useful age appropriate resources online to help safe guard children from being exploited.
www.cybertip.ca (can also report incidents of Internet Child Exploitation through cybertip)