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By battlefordsNOW Staff

ONLINE PREDATORS

Sask. sees record surge in child exploitation cases

Mar 17, 2025 | 1:07 PM

Saskatchewan is having more predators lurking on the Internet than ever before.

The province’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit is on track to handle 1,317 cases this year — nearly double the 853 files it opened in 2021-22. Last year, the unit saw 1,003 new cases, a record it is set to surpass.

“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,” said Saskatoon police Staff Sgt. Tim Failler, the unit’s coordinator.

The number of search warrants has also jumped. ICE executed 58 last fiscal year but has already carried out 86 as of March 13. Investigators have also responded to more than 150 assistance requests from Saskatchewan RCMP detachments in just 10 months.

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“Many people in Saskatchewan see Internet crimes as just a big city concern, but the truth is, they can, and do, happen right here all across our province,” Failler said.

Pointing out that the rise in cases is fueled by technology that makes child exploitation easier for offenders.

“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 toll on investigators

The growing caseload brings major challenges. ICE officers spend weeks analyzing seized phones, computers and encrypted files, often working with disturbing material.

“Generally, when we are investigating files, we search phones, computers, tablets and hard drives extensively to verify whether there is further criminality taking place,” Failler said.

The work also takes a heavy psychological toll on officers.

“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,” he said.

How parents can protect their kids

ICE officers are also focused on prevention, delivering 46 presentations last year on online safety.

“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.

Parents are urged to talk to their kids about online risks, monitor social media, and learn about hidden app features. Keeping devices in shared family spaces and warning kids that anything posted online can be saved and shared are also key safety measures.

Anyone who has been targeted online should stop all communication with the suspect, take screenshots, and report the incident to police or cybertip.ca.

“Parents and guardians can’t be everywhere at once. 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,” Failler said.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com