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Quebec to fight sexual exploitation with mixed police force

A prostitute waits for clients in a street. VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

The Quebec government is setting aside $6.4 million over five years to fight sexual exploitation by targeting pimps and johns.

READ MORE: Police arrest 104 men, find 85 child prostitutes in multi-year investigation in Ontario

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said his government will create a mixed force of 25 investigators from various police agencies to address the issue.

The squad will include officers from Montreal and nearby communities, Quebec City and Gatineau, as well as from the provincial police and RCMP.

READ MORE: 25% of Canada’s human trafficking victims are minors: Statistics Canada

Coiteux told a news conference Friday the force will resemble the model used to investigate and prosecute organized crime.

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He said individual police forces will contribute financially, bringing the total budget to $12 million.

READ MORE: Police arrest over 100 men in multi-year child prostitution investigation in Ontario

The new sexual exploitation unit will be led by Montreal police and be headquartered in the city.

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