Province-wide, co-ordinated investigation targets child pornography offenders

ORILLIA, ON, Feb. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Numerous charges have been laid across Ontario following a massive, coordinated, child pornography investigation by the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.

At a media conference in Vaughan, OPP Acting Commissioner Scott TOD along with members of the Provincial Strategy's police partners and other participating law enforcement agencies, who were instrumental in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion, announced details of the investigation.

A total of 76 search warrants were executed, resulting in 213 charges against 60 persons, including three (3) young offenders. Charges include Sexual Assault, Child Luring, Possession of Child Pornography, Make Available Child Pornography, Distribution of Child Pornography, Making Child Pornography, and Accessing Child Pornography. In addition, 22 victims have been identified during the investigation. Quantities of drugs and weapons were also seized during the operations.

Members of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit also took the opportunity to encourage parents and guardians to proactively increase their awareness of Internet safety issues.

Additional arrests are pending and additional victims will likely be identified as the investigation continues. The complete list of arrested persons and their respective charges have been appended to this media release. (see ADDENDUM - Charged Persons)

From August 2006 to February 1, 2012, there have been 16,131 investigations completed by the Provincial Strategy partners and OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit. During that time, 5,837 charges have been laid against 1,867 people.

QUOTES

"Every child has the right to be nurtured and the right to be safe. Child pornography is the sexual abuse of children. Every image of child pornography represents a child victim. Every trading or transmission of that image represents a re-victimization of that child. "

- Scott TOD - Acting Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police

"Turning the spotlight on child sexual exploitation on the Internet - helps us help children, teens, and parents educate themselves to ensure their Internet experience - through games or social networking sites - can be as rewarding as they want it to be…and as safe as it needs to be. Because every child matters…everywhere."

- Inspector Scott Naylor, Manager -- OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit

LEARN MORE:

For information regarding the accused, Municipality of Residence, and Charge Information, see ADDENDUM - Charged Persons.

The entire media kit, including Addendum of Charged Persons and broadcast quality video interviews and b-roll, is available on-line at these links: (English Francais)

Contact:		Sergeant Pierre Chamberland Media Relations Coordinator
Phone:		(office) 705 329-6878