A sweeping RCMP investigation has been launched involving a “significant” number of Kamloops high school students suspected of sharing inappropriate material through social media.
Police say several students in the Kamloops area were involved and could face charges including distribution of child pornography – but won't say how many were victimized, or the nature of what was posted online.
But students at South Kamloops Secondary School – one of the schools under investigation – told CTV News that a number of South Kamloops Secondary School students are being accused of sharing nude photos of female classmates.
“Tons and tons of guys have distributed it,” Owen Coty said. “They should be nailing half the other boys.”
Police won't confirm how many potential victims there could be but students say investigators have been on scene all week at several schools across the Kamloops-Thompson district.
“No one’s happy about the situation and they’re pretty disappointed with the people involved,” said student Emily O’Laney. “That stuff doesn’t go away, it’s out there forever.”
Kamloops-Thompson School District said the problem isn’t just confined to one high school – and even more students could be implicated.
“It goes across a number of our high schools in the Kamloops-Thompson school district, not just the City of Kamloops, so there are a significant number of students involved,” said Terry Sullivan.
It's the latest case involving teens and damaging behaviour online that crosses the line from cruel to criminal.
Earlier this month, a 17-year-old Victoria girl was convicted of distributing child porn after sharing explicit photos of her boyfriend’s ex online.
“I am not surprised and this is not going away and this is going to get worse,” said Anita Roberts, founder of Safe Teen, a Vancouver anti-bullying organization. “It’s a wakeup call and parents and educators need to really wake up about it.”
Roberts said kids can feel heavily victimized by the spreading of rumours and explicit photos online, equating a smartphone to a loaded weapon in the hands of a ten-year-old.
“When people are victimized in this way, they are cut out of the tribe and for a teenager that is hugely impactful and terrifying,” she said.
The RCMP in their release say parents need to be vigilant and engaged with their kids and their social media activity, which can lead to uncomfortable but necessary conversations with your kids about bullying.
So far, no charges have been laid in the case – though some students have been disciplined by the school board.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Scott Roberts
