RCMP in Nanaimo are facing an explosion of child pornography cases in the area, with their workload increasing over time. (pxhere.com)

By Alex Rawnsley

INVESTIGATIONS SKYROCKET

Child porn cases set to quadruple in 2019, compared to three years ago

Aug 29, 2019 | 4:50 AM

NANAIMO — A slew of child pornography investigations are taxing local officers more and more each year.

In 2016, Nanaimo RCMP officers pursued 15 cases of child pornography. Just three years later, the detachment is on track for between 60 and 70 in 2019 alone.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW, the volume means the detachment could justify a full time unit investigating these heinous cases.

“It’s easy to say it’s hundreds of hours for investigations, with the hard drives and the cell phones and the data that has to be reviewed, and the horrendous images that have to be looked at and catalogued.”

As NanaimoNewsNOW first reported in July 2019, the resources assigned to cases like this are maxed.

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“Many times, those images (of child pornography) are seared in the minds of the investigators and if it takes a toll on them, one can only imagine the toll it takes on the victims.”

One mentality investigators are experiencing is the lack of true understanding by offenders that a crime has been committed.

A common phrase heard by officers is “it’s just a picture.”

“Investigators often hear that phrase, meaning they’re just looking at a child who is being sexually abused. What you’re actually doing is re-victimizing that individual and that mentality has to change.”

Local officers tasked with these investigations do share resources with a variety of other departments across the province.

“Especially the BC ICE (British Columbia Integrated Child Exploitation Unit). Without the cooperation and expertise they have, many of these would fall under the radar and these people would continue to abuse children.”

Officers involved in child pornography cases also undergo regular screening and support for mental health.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley