New National Tool Aims to Help Communities Protect Vulnerable Children
OTTAWA – CRIME NEWS – In a significant move to protect children and vulnerable individuals across Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has launched the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database — the first publicly accessible national database of its kind in the country.
The database provides centralized information on individuals convicted of sexual offences against children who are considered at high risk of reoffending. This tool, now live and available to the public, is designed to enhance community safety and support law enforcement investigations into crimes of a sexual nature against minors.
How the Database Works
The database only includes individuals who:
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Have been found guilty of a sexual offence against a child, and
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Have been publicly identified by police or public authorities, and
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Are deemed by provincial, territorial, or municipal authorities to be high risk to reoffend.
Importantly, the information provided through this database is not new, but consolidated from prior public notifications. The RCMP does not independently designate individuals for inclusion — rather, it relies on jurisdictions across Canadato identify and submit individuals for listing.
This distinction is important for Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario communities, where local police services — not federal agencies — are responsible for assessing and submitting high-risk individuals.
Public and Police Tool
Administered by the RCMP, the database is intended to serve both public awareness and police coordination. It enables Canadians to take precautionary measures to safeguard children, while also streamlining information-sharing between jurisdictions for law enforcement purposes.
“Children are amongst the most vulnerable members in our society, and our government is committed to keeping them safe,” said The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety. “The High Risk Child Sex Offender Database will help to protect children and their communities from harm by providing law enforcement agencies with an additional tool… and providing the public with verified information.”
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme added that the database serves a dual purpose — public education and inter-agency cooperation:
“It now provides Canadians with a tool to get informed and take appropriate precautions and… helps the law enforcement community share information more seamlessly.”
Key Facts: What You Need to Know
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The High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act (HRCSODA) came into force on December 31, 2024.
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The RCMP is responsible for maintaining the database, but provincial and territorial authorities must identify offenders and ensure data accuracy.
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This database is not connected to the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR), which remains accessible only to police and operates under different legislation (SOIRA).
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To report a possible violation by someone listed in the database, residents must contact their local police service.
Resources and Support
Thunder Bay residents and others in Northwestern Ontario can consult the following resources for more information or to report concerns:
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🔗 Cybertip.ca – Canada’s tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children
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📞 Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868
