It’s eight years in jail for a central Alberta man charged with several sex-related offenses.
The man in his late 20s was sentenced to seven years in prison on once count of sexual interference with someone under 16, and to one year in prison to be served consecutively on one count of making/printing/publishing child pornography. He was also given a 10-year firearms prohibition to begin upon completion of his sentence.
The man was charged by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, whose name and hometown police are not allowed to disclose in order to protect the victim.
ALERT alleged the crimes were done against a family member and took place over a span of about five years.
The suspect was arrested March 9, 2023, while the victim was receiving a variety of specialized support and resources. Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre is providing assistance and Alberta’s Children’s Services has been made aware.
Investigation began in early March 2023 when the victim disclosed to a school resource officer that they were being sexually abused by a family member. Police say the victim had disclosed the abuse to trusted people, but the complaint went unheeded.
ALERT, and specifically ICE, are also reiterating the public’s responsibility to protect children and report abuse. To report a concern, or potential child abuse:
- Call 911 if you or the person you are reporting is in immediate danger;
- Call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-387-5437 (KIDS) to get help if you, or children you know, are being neglected, abused or sexually exploited;
- In Edmonton, complaints regarding the abuse or neglect of children can be directed to the Edmonton Police Service’s Children’s Services Crisis Unit at (780) 422-2001;
- Elsewhere in Alberta, concerns for the safety and wellbeing of a child can be reported to Child Intervention Services at 1-800-638-0715.
- Child exploitation concerns can also be reported anonymously at: cybertip.ca
More resources are available on the ICE website.
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