New statistics show that police-reported extortion cases in Canada rose by nearly 300% in the last decade, as the crime swelled online during the pandemic.
“These concerning increases are being facilitated by social media platforms and other electronic services providers,“ said Lianna McDonald, the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, in a news release.Crime data released by Statistics Canada Tuesday also showed an eight per cent increase in the non-consensual distribution of intimate images from 2020 to 2021.
There was a 120 per cent increase in reports of online luring between January and June, Sauer said. The line is now seeing 300 extortion cases a month, up from 155 earlier this year. “I think there are a lot of kids out there that are trying to manage these situations on their own without an adult or without reporting to us,” he said.
The consequences of the crime can be deadly. A 17-year-old Manitoba boy killed himself earlier this year only three hours after he was targeted online.Statistics Canada also noted an increase of incidents involving luring a child through a computer — up five per cent compared to 2020. Social media companies could make immediate changes to ensure kids are safe on their platforms, Sauer said. The federal government could also bring in regulations, he added.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19: No new COVID-19 deaths in Ottawa, hospitalizations down slightlyIndications from the city\u0027s wastewater virus detection program showed that COVID\u002D19 levels were very high but decreasing
Read more »
COVID-19: No new COVID-19 deaths in Ottawa, hospitalizations down slightlyIndications from the city\u0027s wastewater virus detection program showed that COVID\u002D19 levels were very high but decreasing
Read more »
Hate crime reports in Canada surged during COVID-19 pandemic: StatCan - National | Globalnews.caNew data released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday showed that 3,360 hate crimes were reported by police last year, representing a 72 per cent jump over the last two years.
Read more »
No new COVID-19 deaths in Ottawa over long weekendOttawa Public Health is reporting zero new COVID-19 deaths over the long weekend but the amount of virus in the community remains high. ottnews
Read more »
Quebec reports no new COVID-19 deaths as hospitalizations dropSome Quebec health workers have been asked to report to work in recent days while suffering from serious symptoms of COVID\u002D19.
Read more »