Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

RCMP Urge End To B.C. Vigilante Groups Targeting Online Predators

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Sep, 2016 02:25 PM
  • RCMP Urge End To B.C. Vigilante Groups Targeting Online Predators
SURREY, B.C. — British Columbia's Integrated Child Exploitation unit wants vigilante groups to leave policing to the professionals after media attention on a group of civilians who are posting the names and photos of alleged abusers on social media.
 
Sgt. Hernan Topacio, who is head of the unit, says the team targets the "worst of the worst offenders" using the Internet to lure children for sexual purposes.
 
He says he worries that the attention on the group of civilians who claim to do the same work can undermine police by putting the public in danger or by allowing predators to escape prosecution.
 
Topacio says in a news release that police and vigilante groups have a common goal in identifying adults who prey on children.
 
But he says his experience shows merely posting the name and photo of an alleged abuser on social media won't stop the behaviour.
 
The RCMP urges anyone aware of incidents of online child exploitation to report it to the local police or use the Mountie's online tip line.
 
"The greater focus needs to be placed in identifying and rescuing victims and ensuring that perpetrators are not able to victimize further," says Topacio in the release. "Any effort should certainly extend beyond just the initial public identification."

MORE National ARTICLES

Elderly Surrey Couple Living In Separate Care Homes To Be Reunited Soon

Elderly Surrey Couple Living In Separate Care Homes To Be Reunited Soon
Health authority overseeing the couples' care is moving forward with plans to reunite them.

Elderly Surrey Couple Living In Separate Care Homes To Be Reunited Soon

Victims In Toronto Crossbow Attack Part Of Same Family: Neighbour

Victims In Toronto Crossbow Attack Part Of Same Family: Neighbour
Court records name the victims as Susan, Alexander and Christopher Ryan.

Victims In Toronto Crossbow Attack Part Of Same Family: Neighbour

Immigration Detention Facing Rare Legal Challenge Today In Provincial Court

Immigration Detention Facing Rare Legal Challenge Today In Provincial Court
  Government lawyers tell Ontario Superior Court in Toronto today that Alvin Brown, 40, is scheduled to leave Canada on Sept. 7.

Immigration Detention Facing Rare Legal Challenge Today In Provincial Court

Poison To Be Used In Two B.C. Lakes After Non-Native Fish Species Spotted

Poison To Be Used In Two B.C. Lakes After Non-Native Fish Species Spotted
Biologist Steve Maricle says perch were spotted earlier this year in Windy Lake and Little Windy Lake, both about 50 kilometres northwest of West Kelowna.

Poison To Be Used In Two B.C. Lakes After Non-Native Fish Species Spotted

Former NHL Player Sheldon Kennedy Says Sex Abuse Turned Him Into 'A Zombie'

Former NHL Player Sheldon Kennedy Says Sex Abuse Turned Him Into 'A Zombie'
Sheldon Kennedy says being sexually abused for years by his junior hockey coach Graham James turned him from a "goofy, slightly mixed-up kid" who dreamed of the future into little more than "a zombie."

Former NHL Player Sheldon Kennedy Says Sex Abuse Turned Him Into 'A Zombie'

Sperm Donor At Centre Of Canadian Lawsuits Admits To False Info: Police

Sperm Donor At Centre Of Canadian Lawsuits Admits To False Info: Police
Police in Georgia say James Christian "Chris" Aggeles showed up at a police station in Athens-Clarke County last week, saying he wanted to turn himself in.

Sperm Donor At Centre Of Canadian Lawsuits Admits To False Info: Police