Cyber sex crimes on the rise in NI
Charity says politicians must act to tackle growing problem
Online sex crimes have increased by nearly a third in Northern Ireland, it emerged today.
A total of 178 cyber offences were recorded during the past year – a rise of 39 since 2015.
Now, the NSPCC which obtained the figures from the PSNI, are demanding action from politicians.
And it is calling for the Government to make child online safety a top priority.
The charity’s Colin Reid said offenders were increasingly exploiting the web and steps had to be taken to safeguard children.
And speaking today on a visit to Belfast, Peter Wanless, the NSPCC’s CEO said: “These figures confirm our fears that offenders are exploiting the internet to target children for their own dark deeds.
“Children also tell our Childline service that they are being targeted online by some adults who pose as children and try to meet them, or persuade them to perform sexual acts on webcams, before blackmailing them. This terrifies them and can leave some feeling worthless, depressed, and suicidal.
“We cannot idly sit by knowing that more and more innocent young people are being harmed online. Today’s worrying data leaves the Northern Ireland Assembly and the next UK government with no choice but to urgently address this issue. We are calling on them to force internet companies and social media sites to adhere to rules that keep their young users safe.”