The city of Winnipeg, Man., is partnering with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection on a pilot project to limit predators’ access to children at city facilities. The aim of this project is to prevent children from being molested or illegally videotaped while enjoying public facilities by training staff to identify hidden digital devices. It will also help employees recognize unusual behavior, who to report it to, and how to intervene.
City councillor Jeff Browaty said he was approached earlier this year by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. This partnership was likely brought on by the recent conviction of a man for placing a small camera in a changing room at the Pan Am Pool. The center says predators target public places like beaches and pools.
The project will be the first of its kind in Canada, Browaty says, and will likely be expanded to include other city facilities.
The project will implement new rules while reinforcing current rules, such as prohibiting cell phones or other recording devices in locker rooms.
Posters and social media will be used strategically in order to build a public awareness campaign to help parents and others identify and report suspicious activity too.
Noni Classen, a representative from the CCCP told CTV News, "There's a lot that goes on, in terms of supervising for swimming safety, that can be used for surveillance and accountability for individuals who are interacting with kids in the facility."
The pilot project has two other phases, which will focus on libraries and leisure and recreation facilities.
