The RCMP has confirmed that three more victims have come forth during the investigation over the child exploitation ring in Portage la Prairie.
RCMP Media Relations Officer Tara Seel says they released the news on July 9th about a large investigation in Portage regarding the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit, having made seven arrests, one of whom has been cleared of charges. This leaves six who remain in custody now with a multitude of charges.
"Part of the reason for putting this out was to see if there were other victims who may need that information or need that kind of push to come forward," notes Seel. "And we have received three additional victims coming forward to police since the media and the public helped us get the word out about that."
Seel adds there could be more who are victims and have yet to come forth at this point. She acknowledges that they're not sure what it will look like before it's over.
"Right now, we speak to these victims, we get their information, and we investigate that to corroborate any statements and any information that were provided. We look for evidence and at that point, there's the possibility that more charges could be laid later, and more people could be found to be involved."
She adds one of the most important things for current victims and survivors is to know that the police are listening and are there to help you.
"We want to hear your story and assist you in any way that we can. And there are ways to report what's happened to you without necessarily coming to police if that's something that creates some anxiety or some fear," notes Seel. "You can always go to some place like a Klinic Community Health or call Sexual Assault Centres and Crisis Lines. You can always make a third-party report, and that's when the crime is reported to the third party and then that third party is authorized to report that to police."
Seel explains there's also cybertip.ca where people can report if this is happening to them online or through a chat platform, and similar experiences.
"We just encourage anyone who's being victimized or has survived something like this, if they've been groomed, trafficked, or assaulted -- anything like that -- to get in touch with police. We'll do anything we can to help you. We just encourage them to take that next step and come forward."
She says if they can get the perpetrators who are committing these crimes to be held to account in the criminal justice system, that does take them out of play in terms of victimizing others.
"Maybe the victims and survivors are not just doing it for themselves, but to help others who might find themselves in that position in the future."
- Government of Manitoba Family Services - 1 (877) 977-0007
- Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Program - 1 (888) 292-7565
- Tipline for reporting Online sexual exploitation - cybertip.ca