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Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo highlighted the importance of the Government’s action this week to protect children against sexual exploitation and end violence against women. 

Bill C-58 will assist in the fight against sexual exploitation of children by requiring suppliers of Internet services to report Internet child pornography. 

“The creation and distribution of child pornography are inexcusable crimes in which children are brutally victimized again and again,” said McLeod. “A mandatory reporting regime across Canada will not only protect our children from sexual predators but will help police rescue these young victims, and prosecute the criminals responsible.” 

The proposed Act would apply to suppliers of Internet services to the public, for example Internet access, electronic mail, content hosting and social networking sites. It would require them to:

-Report any tips they receive regarding web sites where child pornography may be available to the public; and

-Notify police and safeguard evidence if they believe that a child pornography offence has been committed using an Internet service that they provide. 

In addition, this week Mrs. McLeod attended the launch of the annual YWCA Rose Button campaign to end violence against women and girls, and kicked off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. 

November 25 marks the beginning of the 16 Days, which culminates with Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women on December 6.  This day will mark the 20th anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. 

““Violence against women affects us all,” stated McLeod. “It can take many forms, domestic violence, violence against Aboriginal women, sexual assault, cyberstalking, date rape, culturally based offences such as female genital mutilation and honour killings as well as human trafficking.” 

“Ending violence against women is everyone’s responsibility. Our Government has invested in policing, youth crime prevention, tougher mandatory prison sentences for serious gun crimes, and support for victims of crime. We have focused on ending the use of conditional sentences, including house arrest, for serious offences such as violent or sexual crime,” said McLeod. 

“In the coming days I would encourage everyone to reflect on the countless women and girls worldwide for whom violence and the threat of violence are a daily reality,” concluded McLeod.