Detective Sergeant Paul Gillespie of the Toronto Police Service received a new assignment in the year 2000. The Internet was rapidly developing, enhancing communication and access to information for millions of people around the globe. At the same time, however, the dark side of the Internet was burgeoning. Pedophile networks were multiplying– global networks that were luring and exploiting kids were creating, distributing and trading images of children being sexually abused.
With this disturbing trend rapidly expanding, Paul was charged with establishing and expanding the Child Exploitation Section of the Toronto Police Service. Faced with a spiralling volume of Internet images depicting the sexual abuse of infants and children Paul soon felt overwhelmed and discouraged.
Kinsa (The Kids’ Internet Safety Alliance) was established in May, 2004 by Paul Gillespie and Bill Hutchison a leader in the global IT industry - leveraging Bill’s expertise in launching and building successful business consortia, and they quickly enlisted dozens of associates and colleagues to support the initiative.
In 2006, Paul Gillespie retired from the Toronto Police Service and became President and CEO of Kinsa , which gained charitable status in 2007. His goal was to focus full-time on Kinsa's mission to protect, rescue and heal child victims of abuse whose images are shared on the Internet. To combat this issue head on, it was necessary to create an environment of cooperation amongst regional and international law enforcement - to create a global effort unencumbered by jurisdictional regulations or budget restrictions.
The pedophiles and others who abuse or exploit children and share the images of this abuse through the Internet are not constrained by geography or funding. Rather, they leverage the latest technologies to establish global covert social networks. They gain recognition and prestige from their Internet peers by producing, trading and selling violent images of children – many only infants -- being sexually abused.
Today, Kinsa is a recognized global leader in the protection of children online. Kinsa has built a multi-faceted global network of experts in the IT sector, law enforcement, prosecution, and legislation. This network of experts enables Kinsa to provide cutting-edge technology, investigative techniques, resources and support to law enforcement around the world. Kinsa also works with government, and initiates and responds to policy changes.
In October of 2008, with the suport of Paula Knight, Kinsa’s mandate was expanded to include healing and support for victims who are rescued from this type of abuse through the Mothers Online Movement (MOM).