Archived News Releases

Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick has introduced legislation that would increase penalties under The Child and Family Services Act for offences that involve the sexual exploitation of children.

"The proposed amendments further emphasize the unacceptable and appalling behaviour that targets and sexually exploits our children and youth," said Melnick. "The proposed changes would increase penalties, in many cases up to $50,000 or 24 months imprisonment or both, and will result in significantly higher penalties than in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia for similar offences."

The current maximum penalty for such offences under the Child and Family Services Act is $500 or three months imprisonment or both.

"Our goal is to further prevent and reduce child and youth sexual exploitation in Manitoba and this part of our strategy will help deter offenders," said Melnick. "We are committed to a multi-jurisdictional and co-ordinated approach to this issue and will continue to involve the community in our overall strategy."

The sexual exploitation of children and youth is a serious concern in Manitoba and is described as luring a child under the age of 18 into a sexual act and involvement in the sex trade or pornography in exchange for money, drugs, shelter, food, protection or other necessities. Children and youth who have been sexually exploited are victims of child sexual abuse.

The legislation is part of the province's overall strategy to help get vulnerable children and youth off the street and better ensure their safety and security. The strategy, launched in December 2002, included the establishment of a new safe house to provide a special resource for sexually exploited youth. The new site, a six-bed facility called Honouring the Spirit of Our Little Sisters, is now open in Winnipeg.

In addition, Family Services and Housing has an agreement with Marymound to improve an existing residential child care facility to provide specialized services for young women who have been sexually exploited.

Information on the province's action plan is available on the Internet at https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childfam/strategy_on_sexual_exploitation.

- 30 -