Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some
SASKATCHEWAN – The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit is seeing an increase in crimes against children.
In 2021, ICE conducted 853 investigations with 37 people being charged. Eleven were charged with luring a child, two with making child pornography, 20 with transmitting/making available/distributing child pornography, 37 with possession of child pornography, three with accessing child pornography, five with failing to comply with conditions, and two other.
“The dedication of the members of the Saskatchewan ICE unit is to be commended,” said Staff Sgt. Shawn Stubbs, the ICE provincial coordinator on Thursday.
“They work through horrendous files and approach each case with compassion and professionalism while working hard to provide detailed and comprehensive information to the courts. They care about the safety of the children of Saskatchewan and it shows through their dedication.”
ICE had 737 files in 2020, 528 in 2019, and 321 in 2018. The increase in cases is attributed to everyone working together and increased awareness, said Stubbs.
Saskatchewan ICE Unit receives files from national programs, police agencies and searching online. Also, members of the public are reporting more as awareness grows. Government programs, social media, and media attention has brought these issues to light
Of the 853 ICE investigations, 379 were in the Regina area, 292 in Saskatoon area, 113 in Prince Albert area, 24 in Moose Jaw area, and 45 in other areas of the province.
The Saskatchewan ICE Unit has investigators from Prince Albert Police, RCMP, Regina Police, and the Saskatoon Police. Their mandate is to investigate crimes involving the abuse and/or exploitation of children on the Internet.
If members of the public have concerns about something they or their children find online, they should contact their local police service or online at Cybertip.ca or for more information.
Online safety tips for families
1. Have regular conversations about online safety. This includes talking about the online games your kids are playing, the apps they’re using, and who they are chatting with. For tips on how to get the discussion started, visit protectkidsonline.ca for age-appropriate ideas.
2. Set the expectation you will monitor your child’s online activities, and work together to establish guidelines around texting, social media, live streaming, and gaming, such as who your child can do these things with and on what apps.
3. For younger children, help them create their login, password, and profile information ensuring it is set to private. For tweens and teens, help set up privacy settings in apps/games/social accounts. With a private account, users can approve or deny followers/friends, restrict who can view their content and profile information, and limit incoming messages to followers/friends only. Work together to decide who to accept as followers/friends.
4. Tell your child that if they come across something or someone while online that makes them feel uncomfortable, they can tell you without fear of getting in trouble or losing digital privileges. Remind them their safety is what is most important to you.
5. If you see, read, or hear anything sexual from an adult towards your child online, report it to Cybertip.ca.
For more information visit:
www.needhelpnow.ca
www.protectchildren.ca
www.missingkids.com
www.iamstronger.ca
Story updated with additional information.
