Police in New Westminster, B.C., say a man has been charged with child sexual exploitation offences after an international investigation that led to “the identification and rescue of five children in the Philippines.” Gerard Saunders has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, making such material and agreeing or making an arrangement with a person to lure a child, the New Westminster Police Department said in a statement Tuesday. Saunders resided in New Westminster at the time of the alleged offences, the NWPD said. The department said the “lengthy international investigation” began in June 2023, after its major crime unit received a tip from the RCMP’s Integrated Child Exploitation Unit. “The investigation stemmed from an upload of child sexual abuse material from an IP address over a public platform,” the NWPD statement reads. “Investigators traced the activity to a residence in New Westminster.” Police identified a suspect and executed a search warrant at his home, seizing multiple electronic devices for further investigation, according to the statement. Information gathered during the investigation led police to the suspect’s “potential involvement in child sexual exploitation offences involving victims in the Philippines,” police said. The mother of the five children has also been arrested by local authorities in the Philppines, according to the NWPD. “The diligence and determination of our detectives ultimately led to the rescue of these children,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver, in the statement. “This isn’t a victimless crime, and these are real children behind those screens. This investigation highlights the reality of the far-reaching harm that these offences can cause to children, their families, caregivers, and communities.” According to online court records, Saunders—who was born in 1960—was charged on Aug. 26 of this year. The dates of the alleged offences are Feb. 7, 2023 and Nov. 30, 2023. Police said Saunders was released on an undertaking with “extensive conditions.” His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 7 in New Westminster. If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
