The Child Abuse Unit is responsible for investigating all incidents of child sexual abuse or child physical abuse occurring in the Niagara Region. These are incidents of sexual or physical abuse where the victim is under 16 years of age at the time of the reporting of the incident. The Child Abuse Unit is also responsible for the investigation of child pornography possession and distribution and the investigation of internet luring, where these incidents occur within the Region.

When requested, the Child Abuse Unit will assist other Police Services with child abuse investigations. At the discretion of the Detective Sergeant, a child abuse investigator may be used to interview child victims or child witnesses in other serious offences.

The Child Abuse Unit consists of seven [7] members which includes six [6] Detective Constables and one [1] Detective Sergeant. These Detectives are responsible for the investigation of all child abuse matters throughout the Niagara Region. The investigators are specially trained in matters pertaining to child abuse investigations which includes specialized instruction in relation to the interviewing of child victims.

As a result of the nature of the matters investigated, the Child Abuse Unit works closely with Family and Children’s Services Niagara, the Crown Attorney's Office and the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

The Child Abuse Unit was originally formed in 1992 and operates in a facility separate from regular Niagara Regional Police Service districts or detachments. Interviews of child victims take place at this special facility and are normally recorded on videotape. The facility is equipped with child-friendly waiting rooms and interview rooms which have been specially designed for this purpose.