Every day a child online is bullied, abused or targeted.
The Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers, with the support of the OPP Crime Prevention Section and Child Sexual Exploitation Section is releasing five announcements for Safer Internet Day. The Child Sexual Exploitation Section is responsible for the enforcement of child luring legislation and considers those investigations as a priority.
The announcements are to remind parents and young people of the need to practice safety while using the internet.
What’s known to be wrong in daily routines is just as wrong online. Stand up – don’t stand by. Help put a stop to internet abuse. If anyone has information about any form of internet abuse they can contact Crime Stoppers and report it anonymously.
“We’re determined to promote a safe Internet experience for kids,” said Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci.
Safer Internet Day takes place each year in February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.
Information about safe practices can be found at www.internet101.ca.
In Ontario there are 38 community programs in operation. Crime Stoppers encourages the public to call with information concerning crimes that have been committed, are being committed or are about to be committed.
Besides its long established hotline number 1-800-222-TIPS, Crime Stoppers can also take secure and anonymous tips online at www.tipsubmit.com. Crime Stoppers’ guarantee of anonymity, promise to not appear in court as a witness and the offer of a reward for information that solves a crime have proven to be effective. During 2008 in Ontario, as a result of calls to Crime Stoppers, over 4,000 arrests were made, $750,000 in rewards were paid, and over $70-million dollars of illegal narcotics or stolen property were recovered.
Crime Stoppers is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In 2008, over 200 tips about child abuse, pedophiles, and luring or pornography were taken after hours.
To view the announcements, visit www.ontariocrimestoppers.com and click on Safer Internet.
