FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. -- Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dawson Creek RCMP say they have noticed a rise in child pornography cases. Mainly the downloading and distribution part.
Staff Sgt. Damon Werrell says any case involving child sexual abuse is vigoriously investigated.
"While those types of files may take time to solve, that type of investigation doesn't go away. So, those investigations can typically include investigative partnerships both domestically and internationally, working together to protect the children at risk."
Werrell says the suspects involved in these cases are generally male, ranging in ages from 20-to-60. The way child predators usually get explicit material is by going online. Some popular apps kids use are the video game Roblox, and Kik Messenge, and other popular social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram. These apps are known to have predators online, sometimes acting as kids. Dawson Creek RCMP also mention people with mental disabilties can also be a target, not just younger children.
The reason cases are on the rise, according to Werrell, is the need to for children to stay home.
"There was a period of time they weren't going to school, more time online. That might also mean more time online not being surpervised by thier parents."
Werrell says if kids are chatting online with other people, they never know who is on the other end of the keyboard, and to be cautious of who you meet on the internet.
Some things to watch out for include:
- Unknown friend requests
- Unknown persons requesting pictures of you.
- Unknown persons wanting to meet you in person; online flirting with people that you don't know.
- Requests to provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, address that you live at, the town you live at or the school you go to.
If you've been targeted by a predator, Werrell says to take screenshots of the chat logs and the username of the person contacting you or your child.
