Never has their been such damning data to call our government, justice systems and public to action. Internet Sex Crimes Against Children Task Force experts call it a social epidemic: 44,970 computers nationwide distribute visuals of criminals raping and sexually abusing kids. Albeit, the software designed to help officers trace photos to Internet Protocol addresses is only able to detect about half the offenders each time it sweeps the World Wide Web. This means the 205,305 abuse images found in Canada is gut wrenchingly higher -- we rank fourth, globally, as distributors. Detectives say the pictures are "out there for life."

In a recent news release, the Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC) asked for laws that require Internet Service Providers to block known child sex sites, increase sentences for convicted criminals and for a clear and usable registry of sex offenders. Director, Brian Rushfeldt, also proposes the criminal code replace "child porn" with the wording "child rape and abuse images." This would clarify in text that child porn is not simply Internet fodder but recorded "crime scenes." Also note that in the upcoming 2010 Olympics there is a sex industry hungry to capitalize on Canada's low sexual consent law and slap-on-the-wrist jail times. On March 1, will the House of Commons pass Bill C-2 (the omnibus crime bill)?

No child's innocence should go out on a stretcher.

Janet Gritter
Fenwick, ON