A recent project conducted by the British Columbia Integrated Child Exploitation Unit has shown that child porn shares in the province are disturbingly high.
Between April 1 and September 30 of 2014, BC ICE tracked “illegal material” shared through peer-to-peer file sharing. They were able to track over 1,200 shares back to British Columbia.
“Frankly, even as a police officer who investigates this type of crime, the extent of the problem is disturbing,” said Inspector Ed Boettcher, Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Communications, in a statement.
“A single exchange of material where a child was victimized is too many, this many instances over a six month period is tragic.”
Since this is the first time such a survey of child pornography shares has taken place in the province, the BC RCMP was not able to determine whether the problem is getting better or worse.
“This project established a baseline of what was happening in the province, and we feel that it is important for the public to be aware of the issue,” said Inspector Boettcher.
“People need to monitor computers in their own homes and businesses. If you suspect that somebody has been using it to download or exchange explicit illegal materials please contact your local police.”
Boettcher adds they were able to trace rough locations of where the offences were occurring, and BC ICE is working with local police detachments throughout the province to investigate further.
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