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RCMP partners with Dominican Republic to help in the fight against child sexual abuse

August 12, 2020  By Staff


The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many families, including children, spending time in isolation, the RCMP stated in its latest release. “With more kids at home and online, predators are noticing and taking advantage. Canada has already reported increases in the number of cases involving online sexual exploitation of children.”

That being said, the problem of child exploitation extends far beyond Canada’s borders, the national police force reminded the public.

“And as international borders eventually begin to re-open again, keeping children and youth safe from predators – both online and off – remains a top priority.”

The RCMP has now signed agreements with the Dominican Republic’s National Police and the Department of Migration to take another step to help stop sexual crimes against children and bring transnational child sex offenders to justice.

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“These agreements will further enhance the great collaboration between the RCMP and our colleagues from the Dominican Republic,” said Stephen White, Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP’s Specialized Policing Services. “Sexual offences committed against children are among the most deplorable of all crimes and often cause long term negative impacts for its young victims. By working together, we can help keep children safe and bring the offenders to justice.”

This partnership will build on the existing relationship between the two countries to fight against atrocities such as the sale of children, child prostitution and pornography, trafficking and other forms of child sexual abuse.

Specifically, the two countries will work together in areas such as:

  • Co-ordinating and executing joint investigations;
  • Exchanging information on suspects;
  • Helping in the identification of child victims;
  • Protecting the rights of child victims during and following investigations and;
  • Sharing expertise and training in preventing and fighting crimes against children.

This partnership marks the RCMP’s third international agreement to help protect children from sexual abuse. In 2018 and 2019, the RCMP signed similar agreements with Cuba and the Philippines.


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