Backgrounder

Ontario's Strategy To Combat Internet Crimes Against Children

February 13, 2008

Ontario’s provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation on the Internet is based on building effective partnerships.

For the first time, this $5-million strategy has brought together a team of municipal, regional and Ontario Provincial Police officers, Crown attorneys and victim service providers.

The strategy includes:

• A dedicated child-victim tip line and referral service available 24-7, managed in partnership with the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS
• Specialized teams of police officers to conduct online child-luring investigations and attempt to identify victims
• Dedicated support for child victims and families to offer emotional support, referral to appropriate community services and practical assistance
• Training and support for dedicated Crown prosecutors
• Increased liaison work with law enforcement agencies and others.

Widely recognized as a leader across Canada and around the world, the team has learned state-of-the-art approaches from experts across the globe in the fight against Internet child victimization.

The team works with other jurisdictions when the crimes reach across borders.  It coordinates with national agencies, such as the Canada Border Services Agency and the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre, to help stop offenders and support victims.           

Supporting Quotes for Today’s Announcement

The government today announced two partnerships to help keep kids safe online:

• Youth television network, YTV, in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police, is promoting and hosting an online cyber safety game

“YTV is committed to issues that are important and relevant to kids,” said Frank Duyvelshoff, director of Business Development for Corus Interactive.  “We are able to communicate important social messaging in a way that kids relate to — including the importance of online safety — to our audiences through our broadcasts, our websites and through initiatives and partnerships of this kind.”

• The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is producing parents’ guides to Internet safety that will be distributed to Ontario schools.

“I’m very pleased that both Toronto parents and parents across Ontario are receiving these tips to help keep children safer online,” said Laurel Broten, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.  “These materials offer concrete ideas for discussions that are helpful to ensuring the protection of our children.”

“These brochures provide parents with a hands-on tool for understanding the risks faced by children on the Internet and provide age-specific strategies for reducing their chances of being harmed,” said Lianna McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.  “It’s time that we empower parents with relevant information for protecting children online.”

Contacts

Sheamus Murphy
Minister's Office, 416-326-1785

Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch, 416-326-2210

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