HALIFAX – Maritime cable company EastLink is joining Cybertip.ca’s national awareness campaign designed to combat online sexual exploitation.
EastLink currently displays information about the initiative on its web site (www.eastlink.ca) and is committed to airing public service announcements (PSA’s) on its local television station, EastLink Television.
Cybertip.ca is Canada’s national tip line for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. It also provides the public with information, referrals and other resources to help Canadians keep their children safe while on the Internet.
EastLink and other members of the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association (CCTA) are supporting the national tip line with the hope of raising public awareness and educating families about safe Internet surfing.
“As a proud supporter of Cybertip.ca and member of the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association, EastLink is committed to broadcasting Cybertip.ca announcements airing on EastLink Television and providing information on eastlink.ca,” said Dan McKeen, EastLink co-CEO, in a press release. "With our web site being one of the top ten most visited sites in the Maritimes and EastLink Television accessible to over 240, 000 cable subscribers, we feel this exposure will help get information out to all our customers that access the Internet.”
Since Cybertip.ca launched in September 2002, over 5,483 reports of child pornography have been filed. Seventy-five per cent of that number has been reported since the national tip line began operating in January 2005. Sixteen arrests have been made since its inception and over 600 websites hosting illegal images have been shut down.
“The Canadian cable industry is committed to supporting initiatives that create a safe online environment for children,” said Michael Hennessy, CCTA President. “We commend EastLink for its leadership in responding to this important issue.”
