View source for Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child (Offence)

{{Currency2|October|2023}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffences}}

{{OffenceBox 
|OffenceTitle=Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child 
|OffencePage=Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child 
|Section=171.1
|Act={{OBCCC}} 
|CrownElection={{OBHybridElection}}
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll-14Above}}
|Bail={{OBBailAll}}
|SummaryDisp= {{OBDispMin}}
|SummaryMin={{OBTime|90 days}} 
|SummaryMax= {{OBTime|2 years less a day}} 
|IndictableDisp= {{OBDispSame}}
|IndictableMin= {{OBTime|6 months}}
|IndictableMax= {{OBTime|14 years}} }}

<br>
==Overview==
{{OverviewV|making sexually explicit materials available to child}}

The offence prohibits anyone form making "sexually explicit materials" available to a young person for an illegal purpose regardless of whether it is in person or over an electronic device.<ref>
http://openparliament.ca/debates/2011/3/11/rob-nicholson-1/
</ref>

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsHybridList-N|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}} | {{Yes}} | {{YesIfCrown}} | {{Yes-14Years}} }}
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsHybridElection-14Above|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}} }}

; Release
{{ReleaseHeader}}
|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}|| {{ReleaseProfile-Hybrid}} 
|-
{{ReleaseEnd}}

{{ReleaseOptions-Hybrid|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}}}

:''<u>Reverse Onus Bail</u>''
{{ReverseOnusCirc}}

:''Fingerprints and Photos''
{{IDCriminalAct|s. 171.1}}

; Publication Bans
{{486.4PublicationBan|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}}}

; Offence Designations
{{DesignationHeader}}
|-
|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}|| {{OKMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{OKMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{OKMark-14Years}}
{{DesignationEnd}}

{{WiretapDesignation|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}}}

{{SPIODesignation|A|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}}}

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation2|
; Making sexually explicit material available to child
171.1 (1) Every person commits an offence who transmits, makes available, distributes or sells sexually explicit material to
:(a) a person who is, or who the accused believes is, under the age of 18 years, for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence with respect to that person under subsection 153(1) {{AnnSec1|153(1)}}, section 155 {{AnnSec1|155}}, 163.1 {{AnnSec1|163.1}}, 170 {{AnnSec1|170}}, 171 {{AnnSec1|171}} or 279.011 {{AnnSec2|279.011}} or subsection 279.02(2) {{AnnSec2|279.02(2)}}, 279.03(2) {{AnnSec2|279.03(2)}}, 286.1(2) {{AnnSec2|286.1(2)}}, 286.2(2) {{AnnSec2|286.2(2)}} or 286.3(2) {{AnnSec2|286.3(2)}};
:(b) a person who is, or who the accused believes is, under the age of 16 years, for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence under section 151 {{AnnSec1|151}} or 152 {{AnnSec1|152}}, subsection 160(3) {{AnnSec1|160(3)}} or 173(2) {{AnnSec1|173(2)}} or section 271 {{AnnSec2|271}}, 272 {{AnnSec2|272}}, 273 {{AnnSec2|273}} or 280 {{AnnSec2|280}} with respect to that person; or
:(c) a person who is, or who the accused believes is, under the age of 14 years, for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence under section 281 {{AnnSec2|281}} with respect to that person.

; Punishment
(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)}}
:(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of six months; or
:(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of 90 days.

{{removed|(3), (4) and (5)}}
{{LegHistory10s|2012, c. 1}}, s. 21; 
{{LegHistory10s|2014, c. 25}}, s. 8; 
{{LegHistory10s|2015, c. 23}}, s. 10.
{{Annotation}}
|{{CCCSec2|171.1}}
|{{NoteUp|171.1|1|2}}
}}

===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{DraftHeader}}
|-
| 171.1(a)
| making sexually explicit materials available to a child (under 18)
|"... [transmit, make available, distribute or sell] sexually explicit material to [alleged victim], a person [believed to be] under the age of 18 years, for the purpose of facilitating an offence with respect to that person under s. [153(1), 155, 163.1 or 170, 171, 279.011, 279.02(2), 279.03(2), 286.1(2) or 286.2(2)] contrary to section 171.1(1)(a){{CCC}}.
|-
| 171.1(b)
| making sexually explicit materials available to a child (under 16)
|"... [transmit, make available, distribute or sell] sexually explicit material to [alleged victim], a person [believed to be] under the age of 16 years, for the purpose of facilitating an offence with respect to that person under s. [151, 152, 160.3, 173(2), 271, 272, 273 or 280] contrary to section 171.1(1)(b){{CCC}}.
|-
| 171.1(c)
| making sexually explicit materials available to a child (under 14)
|"... [transmit, make available, distribute or sell] sexually explicit material to [alleged victim], a person [believed to be] under the age of 14 years, for the purpose of facilitating an offence with respect to that person under s. [281] contrary to section 171.1(1)(c){{CCC}}.
{{DraftEnd}}

==Proof of the Offence==

{{ElementHeader}}
{{ElementLeft}}
{{Proving|making sexually explicit materials available to a child|171.1}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit "transmits, makes available, distributes or sells" materials
# {{box}} the materials are "sexually explicit"
# {{box}} the culprit believes the recipient is under 18
# {{box}} the prohibited act intends to groom or reduce the sexual inhibitions of the target (i.e. "facilitate")
# {{box}} the purpose of reducing inhibitions was to commit an enumerated offence:
## {{box}} under s. 171.1(1)(a), relating to a person under 18 years:
### {{box}} [[Sexual Exploitation (Offence)|sexual exploitation]] (153(1));
### {{box}} [[Incest (Offence)|incest]] (155);
### {{box}} [[Child Pornography (Offence)|child pornography]] (163.1);
### {{box}} [[Parent or Guardian Procuring Sexual Activity (Offence)|parent or guardian procuring sexual activity]] (170);
### {{box}} [[Householder Permitting Sexual Activity (Offence)|householder permitting sexual activity]] (171); 
### {{box}} [[Trafficking in Persons (Offence)|trafficking of a person under the age of eighteen years]] (279.011);
### {{box}} [[Trafficking in Persons (Offence)|material benefit — trafficking of person under 18 years]] (279.02(2));
### {{box}} [[Trafficking in Persons (Offence)|withholding or destroying documents — trafficking of person under 18 years]] (279.03(2));
### {{box}} [[Commodification of Sexual Services (Offence)|Obtaining sexual services for consideration from person under 18 years]] (286.1(2));
### {{box}} [[Commodification of Sexual Services (Offence)|Material benefit from sexual services provided by person under 18 years]] (286.2(2));
### {{box}} [[Commodification of Sexual Services (Offence)|Procuring — person under 18 years]] (286.3(2));
## {{box}} under s. 171.1(1)((b), relating to person under 16 years:
### {{box}} [[Sexual Interference (Offence)|sexual interference]] (151);
### {{box}} [[Invitation to Sexual Touching (Offence)|invitation to sexual touching]] (152); 
### {{box}} [[Bestiality (Offence)|Bestiality in presence of or by child]] (160(3));
### {{box}} [[Indecent Act (Offence)|Exposure]] (173(2));
### {{box}} [[Sexual Assault (Offence)|sexual assault]] (271);
### {{box}} [[Sexual Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm (Offence)|sexual assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm]] (272);
### {{box}} [[Aggravated Sexual Assault (Offence)|aggravated assault]] (273); or
###{{box}}  [[Abduction of a Young Person (Offence)|Abduction of person under sixteen]] (280);
## {{box}} under s. 171.1(1)(c), relating to person under 14 years:
### {{box}} [[Abduction of a Young Person (Offence)|Abduction of person under fourteen]] (281).

{{ElementEnd}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==
This offence amounts to a form of grooming of a child similar to conduct that makes up the offence of child luring.

===Presumptions===
{{quotation2|
171.1 <br>
{{Removed|(1) and (2)}}
<s>
; Presumption
(3) Evidence that the person referred to in paragraph (1)(a){{AnnSec1|171.1(1)(a)}}, (b) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)(b)}} or (c) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)(c)}} was represented to the accused as being under the age of 18, 16 or 14 years, as the case may be, is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the accused believed that the person was under that age.
</s>
{{Removed|(4) and (5)}}

2012, c. 1, s. 212014, c. 25, s. 82015, c. 23, s. 10


{{Annotation}}
|{{CCCSec2|171.1}}
|{{NoteUp|171.1|3}}
}}

This presumption was found to be unconstitutional for violating s. 11(d){{CCRF}} and of no force or effect.<Ref>
{{CanLIIR|DN|jzvf8|2023 ONCA 561 (CanLII)}}{{perONCA|Simmons JA}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Defences===
{{quotation2|
171.1 <br>
{{removed|(1), (2), (3) and (4)}}
; No defence
(4) It is not a defence to a charge under paragraph (1)(a) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)(a)}}, (b) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)(b)}} or (c) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)(c)}} that the accused believed that the person referred to in that paragraph was at least 18, 16 or 14 years of age, as the case may be, unless the accused took reasonable steps to ascertain the age of the person.
<br>
{{Removed|(5)}}
2012, c. 1, s. 212014, c. 25, s. 82015, c. 23, s. 10
{{Annotation}}
|{{CCCSec2|171.1}}
|{{NoteUp|171.1|4}}
}}

==="Intimate Images"===
{{quotation2|
171.1 <br>
{{removed|(1), (2), (3) and (4)}}
; Definition of sexually explicit material
(5) In subsection (1) {{AnnSec1|171.1(1)}}, sexually explicit material means material that is not child pornography, as defined in subsection 163.1(1), and that is
:(a) a photographic, film, video or other visual representation, whether or not it was made by electronic or mechanical means,
::(i) that shows a person who is engaged in or is depicted as engaged in explicit sexual activity, or
::(ii) the dominant characteristic of which is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, of a person’s genital organs or anal region or, if the person is female, her breasts;
:(b) written material whose dominant characteristic is the description, for a sexual purpose, of explicit sexual activity with a person; or
:(c) an audio recording whose dominant characteristic is the description, presentation or representation, for a sexual purpose, of explicit sexual activity with a person.

2012, c. 1, s. 212014, c. 25, s. 82015, c. 23, s. 10
{{Annotation}}
|{{CCCSec2|171.1}}
|{{NoteUp|171.1|5}}
}}

==="transmits, makes available, distributes or sells"===
See [[Definition of Terms Relating to Transactions and Transferences]]

===Evidence===
{{Section274to275|s. 172}}
{{Section274Offences}}
{{Section275Offences}}
{{Section276to277|s. 172}}
{{Section276Offences}}
{{Section277Offences}}
<!--
{{Section278Offences}}
-->
{{Section278.2Offences|s. 172}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Participation of Third Parties==
{{seealso|Role of the Victim and Third Parties|Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses}}

; Testimonial Aids
{{3rdPTestimonyAids}}

; On Finding of Guilt
{{VictimHeader}} <!-- Sections / Notice of Agree / Notice of Restitution / Notice of VIS -->
|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|x}} || || ||
|-
{{VictimEnd}}
{{606NoticeSPIO|s. 171.1}}

{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{seealsoSentencing}}
{{seealsoSentencingSexual}}

; Maximum Penalties
{{SProfileMaxHeader}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br> From July 16, 2015 | {{Summary}} |{{summaryconviction}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}} <br> From July 16, 2015| {{Indictable}} | {{Max2Years}}}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br> June 22, 2007 to July 15, 2015 | {{Summary}} | {{Max18Months}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br> June 22, 2007 to Until July 15, 2015 | {{Indictment}} | {{Max10Years}} }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MaxPenaltyHybrid|s. 171.1|'''{{Max2Years}}'''|'''{{Max6Months}}'''}}

; Minimum Penalties
{{SProfileMinHeader}}
{{SProfileMin|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br>From July 16, 2015 | {{Summary}} |  90 days custody | Same }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br>From July 16, 2015 | {{Indictable}} | 6 months custody | Same }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br>August 9, 2012 to July 15, 2015 | {{Summary}} | 30 days custody |Same }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br> August 9, 2012 to July 15, 2015 | {{Indictment}} | 90 days custody|Same }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}}<br> Until August 8, 2012 | Any  | None |Same }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MinPenaltyHybrid|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}} |{{Min90DaysH}}|{{Mix30DaysH}} }}

; Available Dispositions
{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}} || any || {{SProfileOnlyJail}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{OnlyJailAvailable|s. 171.1}}

; Consecutive Sentences
{{ConsecutiveSexOffence}}

===Principles===
; Young Victim
{{YVictimPrinciple}}

===Ranges===
{{seealsoRanges|Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child}}

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
; Offence-specific Orders
{{AOrderHeader}}

{{AOrder1| [[DNA Orders]] | s. 171.1 {{DescrSec|171.1}} |
* {{PrimDNA1|s. 171.1}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[SOIRA Orders]]  | s. 171.1(a), (b), or (c) |
* {{SOIRA1|A|s. 171.1(a), (b), or (c)}} }}

{{AOrderEnd}}

; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==Record Suspensions and Pardons== 
{{NoRecordSuspension|s. 171.1(1)(a) [making sexually explicit material available to child under 18 for purposes of listed offences], 171.1(1)(b) [making sexually explicit material available to child under 16 for purposes of listed offences], and 171.1(1)(c) [making sexually explicit material available to child under 14 for purposes of listed offences]}}

==History==
{{seealso|List of Criminal Code Amendments|Table of Concordance (Criminal Code)}}

* [[History of Making Sexually Explicit Materials Available to Child]]

==See Also==
{{OffencesNavBar/Sexual}}