OPP part of provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse on-line

(ORILLIA, ON) - Incidents of on-line child exploitation continue to steadily increase. The need for protection to ensure predators do not exploit children's vulnerability has never been greater.

From Sept 22-26, 14 agencies from the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet, focused on reports of children self-exploiting on-line. Police spoke with 282 impacted families and observed that the average age of the children generating the material was between five and nine years old.

The provincial strategy co-ordinates law enforcement partners across Ontario to combat child sexual abuse on the Internet. Strategy partners share information, resources and investigative techniques and co-ordinate on investigations.

"I commend the outstanding efforts of our provincial strategy members from across the province whose dedication continues to protect vulnerable children in Ontario,” said OPP deputy commissioner Marty Kearns, investigations and organized crime. “Their tireless work is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding youth from on-line predators."

"Our most fundamental responsibility as a society is to protect our children from those who would do them harm,” said OPP acting detective staff-sergeant Tara Clark, provincial strategy co-ordinator. “The Internet is part of daily life and offers many benefits, such as learning and communication opportunities, especially for children; however, it often leaves children vulnerable to unsafe situations. Just as you wouldn't leave your children alone in a city, don't let them navigate the on-line world alone."

Provincial strategy members urge all parents to remain vigilant and to intensify their involvement to further strengthen the collective effort to protect children from victimization. Members of the public are invited to learn more about how to keep children safe at Canadian Centre for Child Protection or cybertip.ca/en.

Anyone with information regarding instances of child exploitation is asked to contact local police. Report any instances of on-line child abuse to police or cybertip.ca/en. If a child is being harmed, call 9-1-1.

A video highlighting this project is available on the OPP YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/OntarioProvincialPolice.