GOVERNMENT FUNDS INTEGRATED INTERNET CHILD EXPLOITATION UNIT

Saskatchewan children will be safer from sexual exploitation and internet crimes thanks to the creation of an integrated Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit.

The Department of Justice will invest $170,000 this year, followed by annual funding of $650,000, beginning in 2008-09. The ICE unit will include two new police officer positions from the RCMP, one new police officer position each from Saskatoon and Regina, and one new office support staff position.

"Child sexual exploitation is a reprehensible crime that we must stop," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said. "The creation of this new team is the next step in our comprehensive strategy to protect Saskatchewan children from sexual predators."

The ICE unit will focus investigation skills, technical resources and criminal intelligence to investigate persons suspected of preying on young victims through the internet.

"The Saskatoon Police Service is proud to have been a leader in internet child exploitation investigations in Saskatchewan," Saskatoon Police Chief Clive Weighill said. "We are pleased that the province is announcing the establishment of a unit with specially trained officers to deal with what has become a global issue."

Saskatchewan Justice actively promotes the cybertip.ca website that handles tips from individuals reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Having an ICE unit in the province will provide police the opportunity to respond quickly to matters referred to Saskatchewan police services by Cybertip.

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For more information, contact:

Debi McEwen
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6043
Email: dmcewen@justice.gov.sk.ca