Project Orchard leads to four people being charged
The North Bay Police Service continues to be involved in a provincial strategy aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation on the internet.
The OPP-led Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) strategy has released a short documentary, introducing Project Orchard, exposing the stark realities of online child sexual abuse and ongoing efforts to combat it.
25 municipal police services are involved in the initiative, including the North Bay Police Service, which looks to identify and apprehend online offenders before they can harm children.
City police say as a result of Project Orchard, they arrested and charged four people in 2024, with 14 criminal code charges.
“It is of the utmost importance that parents, caregivers, loved ones and friends are aware of children’s activities on the intranet”, says Scott McFarlane, North Bay Police Service Inspector of Criminal Investigations. “If you suspect something, say something, whether that is to a teacher or the police. The internet is a wonderful tool, but it is like the wild west and there no protections for children. It takes a community to raise a child, and this is part of our modern community. As adults we have to keep our eyes watching and ears listening to what our vulnerable, or impressionable kids are doing on the internet.”
Police say visit https://www.cybertip.ca/en/ to learn more or report online exploitation.
For the full 8-minute documentary click the following link.
Officials add parents and caregivers are reminded to always stay informed of online risks, monitor children’s internet activity, and to report any concerns. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
