Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit

The Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit is under ALERT’s umbrella and investigates offences related to the exploitation of children over the Internet. This could include but is not limited to: the possession, distribution, importation and manufacturing of any child pornography and any computer-related child sexual abuse materials; luring children over the Internet; and voyeurism involving victims under the age of 18.

When child exploitation materials are uploaded to the Internet, websites often report those uploads to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States. If it is determined the upload originated in Canada, the information is then passed on to the RCMP National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre, which is based in Ottawa. If it is determined the upload originated in Alberta, then it is passed on to investigators in the ICE Unit.

ICE investigators do their utmost to investigate every tip or piece of information that comes their way. However, if it becomes apparent that the person being investigated is in a position of power, trust or authority over young people (i.e. teacher, daycare provider, coach, clergy, camp counselor, social worker, doctor), they will expedite the investigation as much as possible.

The ICE Unit works closely with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, a national charity based in Winnipeg that works to ensure the personal safety of all children, with a particular focus on reduing the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The CCCP operates cybertip.ca, the most prominent online portal for the public to report abuse and exploitation, and Project Arachnid, an automated web crawler designed to reduce the availability of child sexual exploitation material around the world.

The ICE Unit also works closely with the Zebra Child Protection Centre in Edmonton and the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre in Calgary. Both agencies give young victims of sexual abuse the care they need to recover from their trauma and the support they need to make sure their stories are heard.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has a number of good resources for keeping kids safe online on their website. You can also click here to read the Child Exploitation page on ALERT’s website.

You can submit any information related to child exploitation on the Internet to cybertip.ca, which is operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Alternately, you can contact your local police department or RCMP detachment.

Teams