Authorities say a central Alberta man has been charged with several sex-related offenses.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams’ (ALERT) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has charged the 28-year-old man, whose name and hometown police are not allowed to disclose at this time to protect the victim, with the following:
- Sexual assault;
- Sexual interference;
- Making sexually explicit material available to a child;
- Making child pornography;
- Transmitting child pornography;
- Possession of child pornography; and
- Accessing child pornography.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on May 2, 2023.
ALERT says the crimes were allegedly done against a family member, and took place over a span of about five years.
The suspect was arrested March 9, while the victim is 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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