Dozens of online child exploitation victims lead to 40 arrests including Brampton, Hamilton and Durham men [Video]

Over 150 charges have been laid against 40 people accused of engaging in child exploitation including men from Brampton, Hamilton, Durham and across Ontario.

The arrests are part of a nationwide operation dubbed Project Steel by law enforcement agencies including the OPP, Peel Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service and others.

The OPP says 31 victims were identified during the investigation which revealed individuals were “making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.”

Victims were identified with supports provided to those who were impacted, police said, adding 20 children were “safeguarded” as a result of the operation.

In one of the cases, police say “a repeat violent offender” who previously served prison time for sexual offences was arrested again.

“Analysis of seized devices uncovered evidence of a sexual assault on a child in a public space and the online victimization of dozens of unidentified children,” the OPP says.

In total …