The Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reminding members of the public of the serious criminal consequences associated with accessing, possessing, requesting, downloading or distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material through digital platforms. Photo: Internet Source

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has reminded that the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2014, as amended, addresses offences involving child abuse material. Photo: File

Social media and online services, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, Telegram, Discord, Roblox, online gaming platforms, livestreaming services and filesharing websites, may be exploited to access or circulate such material.

The RVIPF, in a press release today, November 12, 2026, reminded that the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act, 2014, as amended, addresses offences involving child abuse material.

Offenders may face substantial fines and imprisonment, including:

• On summary conviction: A fine of up to US$250,000, imprisonment for a term of up to seven (7) years, or both.

• On conviction on indictment: A fine of up to US$500,000, imprisonment for a term of up to fifteen (15) years, or both.

The public is urged not to:

• Request or seek out sexual images or videos involving children.

• Download, save, purchase, possess or share child abuse material.

• Forward explicit images of minors to friends, family members or group chats. • Assume that private messages, disappearing messages or online gaming platforms provide immunity from criminal prosecution.

• Repost or redistribute material under the excuse that you are merely showing others what you received.

Think before you click!

The RVIPF said anyone who encounters suspected child sexual abuse material should report it to the relevant online platform and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. "Do not redistribute the material, even when intending to alert others."

Parents, guardians, educators and community leaders should also speak openly with children about online safety, inappropriate requests, online grooming, exploitation and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour, the RVIPF advised.

"Protecting children is a shared responsibility. Think before you click. Stop before you share. Protect our children."