Handcuffs file photo. (BlackburnNews.com file photo by Dave Richie)Handcuffs file photo. (BlackburnNews.com file photo by Dave Richie)
Chatham

Three more sex offenders registered in Chatham-Kent

Three more sex offenders have been added to the Sex Offenders Registry in Chatham-Kent.

A report recently presented to the local police services board showed 267 male and two female sex offenders are now registered in the area. Police said the increase from 2019 is because offenders were released or new offenders moved into Chatham-Kent.

Police added that three of the offenders are currently not in compliance with registration laws. Arrest warrants have been issued for two of them while the other is in end of life care. Three offenders were also arrested and charged last year for not complying with their obligations according to police. Over half of the offences committed by the registered convicts are for sexual assault and sexual interference. Sexual assaults in Chatham-Kent were down three per cent from 2019 to 2020 (96-93).

The Child Exploitation Unit also reported two men were arrested in Chatham-Kent and one male was arrested in Lambton County after two investigations in 2020. They were all charged with multiple internet child exploitation charges. Police said the children were being abused and exploited over the internet by men in a position of authority over them, adding their cases are still before the courts.

The unit reported the number of total investigations into luring, child pornography, and sexual assault was up in 2020 as was the number of arrests and charges. It conducted 75 investigations, arrested 11 people, and laid 25 charges. In 2019, the unit conducted 60 investigations, made 10 arrests, and laid 17 charges.

Police also said the number of reported cases of child abuse dropped significantly in 2020 -- likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures, which investigators said dramatically affects the opportunity for children to disclose their abuse by a caregiver. A report showed that only 36 child abuse investigations were done last year leading to eight arrests and 21 charges. In 2019, there were 58 investigations leading to 15 arrests and 38 charges.

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