Centre for Innovation Law and Policy and Microsoft Canada call on public and private sector for support in eliminating online child exploitation

Toronto, Ontario - October 19, 2005 - The University of Toronto's Centre for Innovation Law and Policy (CILP) and Microsoft Canada Co. released results today from a study entitled Safely Connected: Strategies for Protecting Children and Youth from Sexual Exploitation Online. The report provides a summary of research and recommendations designed to address social, legal and policy issues related to online child exploitation.

The report is the result of research gathered during a major international academic symposium and roundtable discussion that was hosted by CILP in May, 2005 and is part of CILP and Microsoft's joint Safe Computing Program.

"This is the first report of its kind to deal with online child exploitation and it is clear that we need to be doing more to keep children safe online," said Richard Owens, Executive Director, CILP. "Canada continues to be a leader in the international community on the issue and now it is time to further that leadership by making the necessary changes to policy and legislation and thereby setting an international standard."

"Microsoft is committed to working with government and law enforcement in an effort to root out those who use the Internet to prey upon society's most vulnerable," said Michael Eisen, Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft Canada Co. "This project with CILP strives to ensure that those who commit unimaginable crimes against children will be decisively dealt with by effective and comprehensive laws and policies."

The report identifies several areas where governments and the private sector should dedicate resources and attention in order to reduce the incidence of online child exploitation, including:

Educating children, adolescents, parents and public: Children must be empowered to report abuse, parents must have access to educational materials and misconceptions regarding the seriousness of child pornography must be clarified

Resources for training police services and specialized Crown prosecutors: Police require training on how to deal with statutory sexual offences initiated online and specialized prosecutorial services should be established to allow prosecutors to build on their experience

Encouraging the active role of Internet Service Providers and related industries: Encouragement of effective self-regulation of ISPs and raising awareness of voluntary measures ISPs can take

International harmonization: More comprehensive global and national investigative information sharing; and a review of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties and sentencing guidelines which are too lenient

Statutory sexual offences: Canada's age of consent is currently 14, younger than the international norm. The definition of "exploitative" relationships must be clarified in the amendments to the Criminal Code via official commentary, so as to capture manipulation of the affections of young people for sexual purposes; and the introduction of an online grooming offence should be studied

For a complete copy of the Safely Connected: Strategies for Protecting Children and Youth from Sexual Exploitation Online whitepaper please go to www.innovationlaw.org

About the Centre for Innovation Law and Policy (CILP)
The CILP was founded at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law five years ago as the first research and teaching centre of its kind in Canada. The Centre includes many faculties at U of T, and also all law schools in Ontario. Professors conduct research and teach courses on theoretical and practical issues of innovation law and policy at the University of Toronto and at the Centre's affiliated institutions. For more information, please visit www.innovationlaw.org

About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca

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