Peterborough Police Service is among the law enforcement agencies involved in a provincewide strategy targeting online child sexual exploitation, following an investigation that resulted in 17 arrests and 55 criminal charges.
The initiative, known as Project Brace, involved 15 police services participating in Ontario’s Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet, working in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit.
Investigators focused on identifying individuals suspected of making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Police say the initiative resulted in 17 people being arrested and charged with a combined 55 criminal offences.
A total of 424 electronic devices were also seized during the investigations.
While no victims were directly identified through Project Brace, police say 23 additional investigations were initiated and remain active.
Peterborough Police part of provincial strategy
The Peterborough Police Service is one of 25 municipal police agencies participating in the broader provincial strategy, which brings together police services and provincial government partners to combat online child sexual exploitation.
The strategy allows participating agencies to share investigative resources, information and techniques while working together to identify offenders and protect children.
Police warn of growing online threats
Investigators say reports involving online child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse material have increased significantly in recent years.
OPP Detective Staff Sgt. Tara Clark, the provincial strategy coordinator, says offenders are using a variety of digital platforms to target children and young people.
“Online offenders are increasingly leveraging digital technologies to access and exploit children and youth,” said Clark.
She pointed to social media, online gaming platforms, messaging applications and peer-to-peer networks as tools used by offenders to groom victims, distribute illegal material and avoid detection.
Clark says protecting children requires cooperation beyond law enforcement, including families, educators, technology companies and community organizations.
Public encouraged to report suspicious activity
Police are reminding parents and caregivers to remain aware of their children’s online activities and to have conversations about internet safety.
Resources for families are available through the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
Anyone with information about online child sexual exploitation is encouraged to contact their local police service or submit a report through Cybertip.ca.
The charges laid through Project Brace have not been proven in court.
