HUNDREDS OF CHARGES LAID ACROSS ONTARIO IN CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATIONS
(SCARBOROUGH, ON) - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced staggering numbers in online child exploitation arrests as part of province-wide Project Aquatic.
Members of the OPP-led Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet (Provincial ICE [Internet Child Exploitation] Strategy) took part in child sexual abuse investigations that was both reactive and proactive. The investigations began on February 19, 2024, and ended on February 29, 2024, with investigators identifying and arresting those making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The identified victims were provided victim support, and impacted children were safeguarded.
As a result of Project Aquatic:
34 victims were identified
30 children were safeguarded
64 people were charged
348 charges were laid
607 electronic devices were seized
Notably, during the investigation, on