Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding internet safety.
This reminder comes after the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated several incidents after being contacted by members of the community.
Due to the widespread use of the Internet and technology, incidents of Internet child exploitation continue to steadily increase. With the rapid advancement of technology, along with the ever-changing legal landscape with respect to privacy and restrictions in accessing information from service providers, Internet child exploitation investigations are extremely time consuming and require significant coordination for any police service to carry out.
Child sexual exploitation on the Internet is a community problem requiring support and involvement from not only law enforcement, but parents/guardians, educators, child advocacy organizations, government, and technology providers. Everyone needs to educate themselves to keep children safe and keep predators out of our real and virtual communities.
Parents and caregivers who would like more information or resources can visit www.cybertip.ca and www.protectchildren.ca.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at www.helpsolvecrime.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
