SASKATCHEWAN – The Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit is investigating the highest number of reports of child sexual abuse material it has ever received.
These files include investigating crimes involving the abuse and/or exploitation of infants, children and teens on the Internet.
During the 2021-2022 year*, the unit had 853 new files come in. By 2022-2023, they were up to 931. The 2023-2024 year saw an even larger number of new files at 1,003 and investigators are currently on pace to reach 1,317 new files this year. (*March- April fiscal year.)
“Surpassing last year’s number of files isn’t just a statistic, it’s a testament to the growing challenges we as ICE investigators face,” says Saskatoon Police S/Sgt. Tim Failler, Coordinator of the Saskatchewan ICE Unit.
ICE executed 58 search warrants across the province last fiscal year. As of March 13, 2025, they have already carried out 86.
As technology evolves and more people have access to the Internet, children are at greater risk than ever.
“Technology makes acquiring child sexual assault material easy for offenders, it’s no longer in the shadows. You can get it within seconds and with very little effort,” says S/Sgt. Tim Failler. “You don’t need to have any special technological training to be an offender, your phone is the pathway.”
ICE began tracking the number of files they were requested to assist with at Saskatchewan RCMP detachments because they were getting so many. In ten months, they had over 150 requests for assistance.
“Many people in Saskatchewan see Internet crimes as just a big city concern, but the truth is, they can, and do, happen right here all across our province,” says S/Sgt. Failler. “Just look around, almost everyone has access to a phone. These crimes can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Perhaps it’s not you specifically – but victims could be your loved ones or friends.”
Understanding the Challenges
In addition to the concerning number of files coming in, most ICE investigations are extremely complex. Technological advancements, such as encryption and anonymity tools, have made it easier for offenders to operate undetected by parents and police. Investigators are also dealing with extensive files and larger data seizures.
“Generally, when we are investigating files, we search phones, computers, tablets and hard drives extensively to verify whether there is further criminality taking place. It could take weeks to examine, depending on the amount of data that is seized and the complexity of the encryption,” said S/Sgt. Failler.
S/Sgt. Failler acknowledged this work’s psychological toll on investigators, who often are exposed to explicit images and videos files. Each file, each request for assistance, adds weight to an already heavy workload.
“Our ICE investigators are dedicated to helping keep children of Saskatchewan safe. It’s a complex task and they work on difficult files, but they approach each file with professionalism and compassion,” said S/Sgt. Failler.
Teaching kids about online safety
Kids can be safe online, but parents/guardians need to be vigilant and aware of potential risks.
“You don’t tell a child to walk across the street without telling them to look both ways. The Internet is no different: both require caution, education and awareness to navigate safely,” said S/Sgt. Failler.
Public education is another aspect of ICE’s work. ICE officers educate families and schools on what to do when a child discloses potential abuse, starting with receiving the information calmly, carefully and without judgement. Last year, they did 46 presentations at various locations across the province.
“We want people to know that the police are here to support them. It’s our job to investigate the reports we receive and find ways to bring education and awareness to the community to help protect children from being victimized,” says S/Sgt. Failler.
Here are some ways you can help keep your kids safe online:
- Talk to your kids! Make sure they feel comfortable talking to a trusted adult if they come across inappropriate content.
- Remind them that people online may not be who they say they are and to only accept friend requests from people they confirm they know.
- Ask them how the social media app they’re using works, have them show you and ask them questions about it.
- Never share personal information such as address, phone number, school name or location with anyone.
- Try searching “how does the app work?” or “hidden features of the app” in your favourite search engine.
- Learn chat slang, abbreviations, acronyms and altered meanings.
- Keep the computer or phones in busy family areas, like the kitchen, where the screen can always be seen.
- Educate your kids about how the photos and messages they send can be saved via screenshots or recordings by someone else. Explain that once something is posted, it’s impossible to remove.
If you or your child have been targeted or are a victim of crime online, please do the following:
- Report it to your local police or online via cybertip.ca.
- Immediately stop all communication with the suspect.
- Ensure that you and/or your child do not comply with the threat.
- Screenshot and keep any correspondence between you or your child and the suspect.
- Remember that you are not alone – seek assistance/support from your local police.
“Parents and guardians can’t be everywhere at once. We need to do everything in our power as police officers, parents and guardians to help youth make informed decisions while navigating the ever-changing digital world,” says S/Sgt. Failler.