PETERBOROUGH-Three Peterborough men are among 63 people charged in a joint child exploitation investigation involving the OPP and 25 other police services. 51 victims were identified.
A 73-year-old Peterborough man is charged with bestiality, making child sexual abuse material available and possession of child sexual abuse material.
A 49-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges of possession of child sexual abuse material, making child sexual abuse material available and failure to comply with probation regarding children.
A 21-year-old Peterborough man is charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.
Their names were not released.
As part of Project Time, a coordinated provincial effort to identify and apprehend those who prey on children, investigators targeted individuals making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
Victims were also identified and safeguarded, with appropriate support provided to those impacted according to police.
“Project Time is a testament to the dedication and commitment of law enforcement professionals across Ontario and Canada to protect children from exploitation. The results of this operation demonstrate the power of collaboration, the strength of the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy and the relentless pursuit of those who prey on the most vulnerable.” said OPP Detective Staff Sergeant Tara Clark, Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy Lead.
Project Time results include:
- 51 victims identified
- 63 individuals arrested
- 213 charges laid
- 814 electronic devices seized
- 264 criminal investigations conducted
- 154 ongoing investigations
- Two accused were in a position of trust and authority in their communities
- Eight accused were repeat offenders
Members of the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy recognize that law enforcement cannot combat these crimes alone. Parents, educators, child advocacy organizations, government and technology providers are essential in keeping children safe.
The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy police partners have noted a significant rise in reports of online child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse material in recent years. To learn how to keep children safe, visit Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
Anyone with any information related to child sexual exploitation should contact their local police or report it to cybertip.ca.
Ontario’s Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet (Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy) is comprised of the OPP Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, 25 municipal police services, the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Victim Services of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Akwesasne through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy provides a unique, provincially-coordinated effort recognizing regional needs and issues, as well as the challenges associated with geographically dispersed victims throughout Ontario.
The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy’s 26 member police agencies include:
- Barrie Police Service
- Belleville Police Service
- Brantford Police Service
- Chatham-Kent Police Service
- Cornwall Police Service
- Durham Regional Police Service
- Greater Sudbury Police Service
- Guelph Police Service
- Halton Regional Police Service
- Hamilton Police Service
- Kingston Police
- London Police Service
- Niagara Regional Police Service
- North Bay Police Service
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ottawa Police Service
- Peel Regional Police
- Peterborough Police Service
- Sault Ste. Marie Police Service
- Thunder Bay Police Service
- Timmins Police Service
- Toronto Police Service
- Waterloo Regional Police Service
- Windsor Police Service
- Woodstock Police Service
- York Regional Police
