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The police unit tasked with fighting online child exploitation in Saskatchewan says its caseload is rapidly growing.
The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE), which includes Mounties and municipal police officers from Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert, said it is currently investigating the highest number of reports it has ever had to handle.
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During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the ICE unit investigated 853 new files. That number grew to 931 the following year, and in 2023-2024, ICE was tasked with investigating 1,0003 files.
During the current fiscal year, the police task force said it is on track to reach 1,317 new files.
Last year, ICE officers executed 58 sear warrants around the province, and have already carried out 86 searches in the current fiscal year.
“Surpassing last year’s number of files isn’t just a statistic, it’s a testament to the growing challenges we as ICE investigators face,” staff sergeant Tim Failler, a Saskatoon police officer and ICE unit co-ordinator, said in a statement.
Failler added that new technology means exploitative material can be more easily shared and accessed than ever before.
“Technology makes acquiring child sexual assault material easy for offenders, it’s no longer in the shadows. You can get it within seconds and with very little effort,” he said.
“You don’t need to have any special technological training to be an offender, your phone is the pathway.”
The ICE unit noted that it received more than 150 requests for assistance from the RCMP in a 10-month period, which demonstrates that online exploitation is not limited to the major urban centres.
“Just look around, almost everyone has access to a phone. These crimes can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time,” Failler added.
“Perhaps its not you specifically – but victims could be your loved ones or friends.”
ICE investigations are often extremely complex, the police unit noted, especially in the face of new technology which can encrypt data and render online users essentially anonymous.
“Generally, when we are investigating files, we search phones, computers, tablets and hard drives extensively to verify whether there is further criminality taking place. It could take weeks to examine, depending on the amount of data that is seized and the complexity of the encryption,” Failler added.
“Our ICE investigators are dedicated to helping keep children of Saskatchewan safe. It’s a complex task and they work on difficult files, but they approach each file with professionalism and compassion.”
The ICE unit also works to educate the public about the risks of online exploitation, and asked parents and guardians to also be vigilant when it comes to potential risks.
“You don’t tell a child to walk across the street without telling them to look both ways. The Internet is no different: both require caution, education and awareness to navigate safely,” Failler said.
“We need to do everything in our power as police officers, parents and guardians to help youth make informed decisions while navigating the ever-changing digital world.”
ICE encouraged parents and guardians to talk to their children and ensure they feel comfortable talking to a trusted adult if they encounter inappropriate content online. Parents should also remind kids that people online may be using false identifies, and may not be who they claim to be.
“Ask them how the social media app they’re using works, have them show you and ask them questions about it,” the police unit added.
“Never share personal information such as address, phone number, school name or location with anyone.”
Parents and guardians were also advised to keep computers and phones in busy family areas, where the screen can be seen, and educate kids about how the photos and messages they send can be saved.
“Explain that once something is posted, it’s impossible to remove,” ICE advised.
Anyone who has been targeted or victimized online was advised to make a report to police, immediately stop all communication with the suspect, avoid complying with online threats, and to keep screenshots and records of correspondence.