The Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has cautioned the public about the criminal risks of seeking out, keeping or circulating child sexual abuse material on the internet.
Under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2014, as amended, conviction on indictment brings fines as high as US$500,000 and up to 15 years in prison. Summary conviction carries fines up to US$250,000 and up to seven years behind bars, or both penalties combined.
The force identified multiple platforms where such material may be found or shared: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Telegram, Discord, Roblox, online gaming sites, livestreaming services and filesharing websites.
The police cautioned residents against forwarding explicit images of minors to contacts or group chats, and warned that private messages, disappearing messages and gaming platforms offer no legal protection. Reposting material under the guise of warning others is also prohibited, the force said.
Anyone who discovers suspected child sexual abuse material should report it to the relevant platform and to police, but should not share it further. "Do not redistribute the material, even when intending to alert others," the police statement said.
The force called on parents, guardians, teachers and community figures to have frank conversations with young people about staying safe online, recognising inappropriate contact, grooming tactics and exploitation. "Protecting children is a shared responsibility," the police statement said.
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