On January 15, 2016 a Brantford teenager was arrested and held in custody for a bail hearing.
The Brantford Police Service began an investigation after receiving information that a Brantford teenage girl had sent an intimate image of herself via cellular telephone to a teenage boy known to her. It is alleged that the teenage boy then forwarded the intimate image to other persons without the teenage girls consent.
The teenage boy stands charged with the offence of;
Distribution of Intimate Image without Consent, contrary to Section 162.1(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The incident remains under investigation and more charges may be laid.
We encourage parents and caregivers to speak with their children regarding smart online choices and the consequences of being involved in any incidents that include cyber-bullying and sexting
What is Section 162.1(1)?
Everyone who knowingly publishes, distributes, transmits, sells, makes available or advertises an intimate image of a person knowing that the person depicted in the image did not give their consent to that conduct, or being reckless as to whether or not that person gave their consent to that conduct, is guilty of an offence.
What is an intimate image?
In this section the definition of an intimate image means a visual recording of a person made by any means including a photographic, film or video recording, in which the person is nude, is exposing his or her genital organs or anal region or her breasts or is engaged in explicit sexual activity.
Did you know?
Once an intimate digital image is created it is almost impossible to control what happens with that image and it may never be deleted.
It is also against the law to keep or save intimate images of a person under the age of 18 years old (child pornography) on a computer, phone, cloud storage or any other device. This is referred to as possession of child pornography.
If someone shares the intimate image of a child under the age of 18 years without consent they are committing the offence of ‘Distribution’.
Before you send a revealing image ask yourself;
Could this image get lost or misplaced?
Be passed around without your permission?
Be used to bully you?
Be used to blackmail you?
*Get you in trouble?
Anyone with information relating to internet sexual crimes against children is urged to call Detective Balbir Singh of the Brantford Police Service ICE Section at 519-756-0113 ext. 3337.
Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous are asked to contact Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, a webtip may be submitted at: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=251
Background:
On March 29, 2007 the Brantford Police Service joined the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet.
The Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet is comprised of the OPP Child Exploitation Section, RCMP, Barrie PS, Brantford PS, Durham Regional PS, Guelph PS, Greater Sudbury PS, Halton Regional PS, Hamilton PS, Kingston PS, London PS, Niagara Regional PS, Ottawa PS, Peel Regional PS, Sault Ste. Marie PS, Toronto PS, Thunder Bay PS, Waterloo Regional PS, Windsor PS and the York Regional PS, Peterborough Lakefield Community Service, Timmins Police Service, Belleville Police Service, Woodstock Police Service, Cornwall Police Service, Chatham-Kent Police Service, North Bay Police Service and Sarnia Police Service.
The online exploitation of children continues to be a challenge for investigators due to its sheer volume, global reaches and anonymity; however, these police partners and the Provincial Government are committed to making a difference in our communities.
The Brantford Police Service supports this strategy, and has recognized that images of children and child abuse placed on the internet lead to perpetual victimization.
Responding to the Changing Needs of our Community””