CANADA: Child Sexual Exploitation Soaring
CANADA: In 2023, child sexual exploitation (*regrettably known as child “pornography”) cases rose by 52%.
As reported by Statistics Canada, this was, in part, a result of more cases being sent to specialized police units who deal within the realm of internet child exploitation.
Last year alone saw 21,417 incidents of police-reported child sexual exploitation.
This number is a staggering 52% per 100,000 Canadians compared to stats released stemming from 2022. This increased the total rate of reported crimes throughout Canada to 5,843 incidents per 100,000 Canadians in 2023, up from 5,699 in 2022.
According to the Crime Severity Index, child sexual exploitation was the single largest contributor which increased crime overall.
The report notes that the increased reporting of child sexual exploitation was “partially the result of more cases—current and historical—being forwarded to local police services by specialized provincial Internet child exploitation police units and the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre.”
Needless to say, these statistics aren’t just disturbing, they’re devastating.
Contributing to the harsh reality these stats make 2023 the third year in a row to see increases in the perverse content being published online and consumed.
Amongst the 53 incidents of child sexual exploitation per 100,000 Canadians being reported in 2023, there was also a massive 79% which had a cybercrime component to them.
The report listed several additional crimes that also saw a rise throughout the country with the exception of homicides which saw a 14% decrease in 2023.
Conclusion
An increase in this form of crime in any nation speaks to the state of the cultural climate, as well as to the state of people’s hearts.
This increase in child sexual exploitation should serve as a glaring sign to the church that we have a part to play in combatting this evil and that begins with what we teach our children in the home, as well as what we believe about God’s most precious of all His creation – humanity.
Having the proper lens of humanity, based upon God’s Word, is where we must begin in this fight and from this place is how we can most effectively fight.
We are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. This category of vulnerable persons, created in the image of God, includes the preborn child in the womb to the innocent child who is being trafficked for labor to those who are being sexually exploited.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9
Whilst this is a spiritual fight there is also a physical fight.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
We can pray against child sexual exploitation (and we should!) but unless there are those willing to go into realms in order to combat it, from taking down human traffickers to those who have to view the devastating imagery to help rescue children in these situations, then we as a body of believers aren’t doing all we can to thwart this evil.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Prayerfully consider supporting and praying for one of the following ministries/groups tackling the issues of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
JOIN THE FOLLOWING GROUPS COMBATTING EXPLOITATION:
*Please note that “child pornography,” although more understood as a cultural term, is not the accurate means of describing the dehumanizing and wicked practice that is the degradation of God’s most prized of all His creation.In addition to this, children cannot consent to being in content, and as such, the use of the word “pornography” to describe the abuse and exploitation these children are put through further minimizes the severity of the crimes committed against them.
Thank you for your support.
If you appreciate the work we do to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, please consider giving a gift to help us continue this work. Maranatha!
Click an icon below to share this post.
All articles, including blogs and guest articles, published on Encounter News are owned by Encounter Today and Encounter News. The use of any content created and published by Encounter News may be quoted but attribution is required.
Portions of Encounter News articles may be used for reprint and republish purposes, but Encounter News MUST BE CREDITED.
All reprinted or republished articles must:
(1) Identify the author of the article.
(2) Contain the Encounter News byline at the beginning of the article and a hyperlink “Encounter News” to the respective article on the Encounter News website.
(3) Contain, at maximum, three paragraphs and then link back to the original article.
You might also like
Explore Categories
