RCMP launches Canada-wide database of people found guilty of sexual offences against children
RCMP has launched a database where information about people found guilty of sexual offences against children will be publicly accessible.
The database will only show information that has previously been made public, and only include offenders deemed high risk of committing a crime of a sexual nature.
“Children are amongst the most vulnerable members in our society, and our government is committed to keeping them safe,” Gary Anandasangaree, minister of public safety, said in a news release.
“The High Risk Child Sex Offender Database will help to protect children and their communities from harm by providing law enforcement agencies with an additional tool to ensure appropriate monitoring of high-risk offenders as well as providing the public with verified information to support their personal safety.”
RCMP says it will rely on provincial, territorial and municipal authorities to include information outside of RCMP jurisdiction.
“Protecting children from sexual offenses and exploitation is a responsibility we all share and is a priority for the RCMP,” Mike Duheme, commissioner for the RCMP, said in a news release.
“The importance of centralizing public notifications of high-risk child sex offenders is two-fold: it now provides Canadians with a tool to get informed and take appropriate precautions and, it also helps the law enforcement community share information more seamlessly on offenders amongst themselves. The RCMP is proud to have worked with Public Safety and the provinces and territories to ensure the Database provides value to communities across Canada.”
The database aims to help law enforcement investigate and prevent crimes, and allows the public to use the information to make decisions to help protect children and vulnerable people.
On Jan. 15, there were no individuals from British Columbia included on the database. The database only included information on eight people from Manitoba and one from Prince Edward Island.
