Six Barrie-area residents, two of them aged 15, have been charged in a nationwide online child exploitation investigation
Barrie Police and the OPP were among the police services involved in the Project Steel investigation.
The initiative was part of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet, also known as the Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Strategy. Law enforcement agencies worked both proactively and reactively to identify individuals involved in the creation, possession, and distribution of child sexual abuse material. Additionally, victims were identified and safeguarded, with support services provided to those affected.
“This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when law enforcement officers and digital specialists from various fields and locations collaborate in the relentless pursuit of those who prey on the most vulnerable. We will not stop. We will continue to innovate, investigate, and work with our partners to ensure there is no refuge for those who exploit children.”
- Det. Staff Sergeant Tim Brown, Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy Lead
Key Results from Project Steel:
31 victims identified
20 children safeguarded
40 individuals arrested
151 charges laid
686 electronic devices seized
One of the most notable aspects of the operation was the re-arrest of a repeat violent offender who had previously served a significant prison sentence for sexual offences. Upon analyzing seized devices, investigators discovered evidence of a sexual assault on a child in a public space, along with the online victimization of multiple unidentified children.
A Collaborative Effort to Protect Children
Authorities emphasize that combatting child exploitation requires a collective effort. The Provincial Internet Child Exploitation Strategy underscores the crucial role played by parents, educators, child advocacy organizations, government bodies, and technology providers in safeguarding children. Members of the strategy urge all partners and community members to stay informed, remain vigilant, and work together to prevent exploitation before it occurs.
If you have any information regarding child exploitation, you are urged to contact your local police or report online child abuse via cybertip.ca. In cases of immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.
