Youth increasingly targeted online prompting changes to NeedHelpNow.ca

Winnipeg, Canada — Tomorrow, to mark Cybertip.ca Awareness Day, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) is launching a new streamlined version of NeedHelpNow.ca, a critical service for youth who have experienced online sexual violence such as the sharing of intimate images, sextortion and online luring.

There is a significant need for this resource. In the last 15 months alone, C3P’s Cybertip.ca — Canada’s tipline to report the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children — has received 4600+ reports on sextortion from youth. We are facing a public health emergency with the massive increase in sexual violence that has damaging and sometime life threatening consequences for children in Canada.

“We’re receiving an average of 50 sextortion reports per week right now — it’s clear there is an incredible need for youth to have a place to find help when they need it,” says Signy Arnason, Associate Executive Director of C3P. “Knowing how youth are using the site, we’ve streamlined the ability for them to quickly access critical information and guidance when they are in a state of panic.”

Bell has been supporting NeedHelpNow.ca’s operation for a decade, since it first launched in 2013.

“Bell has long believed in the importance of Canadians receiving the supports they need in distressing situations,” said Ruby Barber, Assistant General Counsel at Bell. “We support NeedHelpNow.ca because it is imperative that youth know that they are not alone, and that help is available to them in a crisis.”

The new site puts emphasis on the importance of reaching out for help, and ensures youth know they are never alone to manage these situations. A new video to accompany the launch will walk youth through what they can expect when they reach out to NeedHelpNow.ca, and the types of support offered.

For more information about sextortion, visit Cybertip.ca.