Thank you.
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is aware that there is no easy single solution to this problem. To engage other private industry groups in this fight, we are working with the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre, our strategy partner, to establish a Canadian financial coalition against child pornography. This partnership of prominent financial institutions and payment companies will work to identify and eradicate the commercial market for online child abuse imagery in Canada. The goal is to follow the money and disrupt the economics of the commercial child pornography business and to shut down payment accounts used by these illegal entities. This is just another example of the type of cooperation that is necessary to address this complex issue.
We know that reporting is a key component of any country's successful strategy to combat the online sexual exploitation of children. The widespread circulation of child abuse images and the fact that these pictures are viewed, collected, and traded among offenders allow for Internet users to inadvertently come across this type of harmful content. The public nature of the Internet, combined with the viral nature of child pornography, offers the opportunity for the public and Internet service providers to report and assist in the detection of this material.
The results and impact of mandatory reporting are evident in other jurisdictions. Cybertip.ca is the designated reporting agency under Manitoba's mandatory reporting of child pornography legislation. A report that will be released publicly within a few weeks highlights the impacts and success of this legislation. In Manitoba public reporting increased by 126% in the first year that the legislation was enacted, when compared to the previous year. The goal of the legislation was to facilitate reporting and as a result protect children. Cybertip triaged reports, which resulted in 17 reports containing information related to an identified child victim or suspect in Manitoba being forwarded to a child welfare agency.
The complicated nature of the propagation of child abuse images on the Internet creates additional challenges for those working to combat this issue. On the one hand, we need to stop the sexual abuse of children in homes and in neighbourhoods. By doing so, we will stop the images from getting on the Internet to begin with. On the other hand, we must manage the proliferation of the imagery once on the Internet, which fuels demand, consumption, and the normalization of the sexualization and abuse of children.
Good legislation, adequate resources, global cooperation, technical solutions, and public education are key components to getting ahead of the problem. Mandatory reporting legislation removes the professional and personal dilemma of reporting. It clarifies and reinforces what the major Internet service providers are already doing and offers protection for appropriate action. Companies will also need to develop policies and train employees to help them understand their legal obligations. Through such action, these employees will have additional education and knowledge on the issue, which will impact attitudes and beliefs and ultimately better protect children.
Moreover, this legislation will ensure compliance by others in the industry, including content and hosting providers. Based on reports to Cybertip as of October 19, 2010, there are over 250 live URLs hosting child abuse images in Canada. While Canadian law enforcement agencies currently have the authority to take action in such situations, it is complex and often difficult. Under the new legislation, content providers would also be obligated to report child pornography on their services. This action would serve to ensure that proper and swift remedial action is taken, with penalties promoting compliance.
Legislation also becomes a deterrent and sends the message that Canada will not become a haven for child abuse images in websites. Those profiting from the abuse of children often deliberately move content to avoid detection.
Countries with strong legislation create a disincentive for those involved in providing access to the illegal material. Enacting mandatory reporting legislation demonstrates a cognizance that society as a whole has a moral obligation to protect its most vulnerable citizens and that this obligation is a legal onus on those providing an Internet service, should they come across the content.
In concluding, there is still much work to be done in examining ways that we can better protect children. However, this legislation will put Canada among only nine countries worldwide that meet criteria established by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, which examined existing child pornography legislation and agendas within nations. The report conducted research reviewing more than 196 countries around the world to examine existing legislation and to gauge where this issue stands on national political agendas. The issue of child abuse imagery and material is a global problem that requires strong and harmonized legislation between nations. Canada's leadership and decision to take this additional step sent a clear and strong message to its citizens and other countries that children are a national priority.
I thank you for this opportunity to present.