Longueuil police searching for additional sexual exploitation victims

Photo:Longueuil police

New Arrests Spur Search for More Victims in Longueuil
On November 19, 2024, the Longueuil Police (Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil or SPAL) arrested Vancol Psichary, 28, on charges including pimping, sexual exploitation, intimidation, extortion, and sexual assault involving a minor. Police believe the allegations stem from exploitation that began in early 2021 and continued into 2022, and they now warn that there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward.

A coordinated operation dating back to January 2022 was triggered when a witness reported suspicious activity on social media. Investigators built a body of evidence strong enough to secure indictments and carry out multiple integrated arrests involving SPAL’s specialized Sexual Exploitation Intervention Team .

Alarming Scope: Charges Reflect Complex Criminal Network
The charges laid against Psichary are extensive and reveal the depth of the allegations:

• Pimping and human sexual exploitation (proxénétisme)

• Sexual assault of a minor

• Intimidation and extortion

• Obstruction of justice in a related arrest

• Several counts under the Criminal Code

Investigators believe social media platforms were leveraged to recruit victims and conceal operations. SPAL is now urging any additional victims—especially those hesitant to report—to come forward confidentially.

Integrated Support for Victims: A Holistic Police Response
Amidst the arrests, Longueuil police are deploying a shift in approach focused on social and psychological support, rather than solely legal enforcement . SPAL’s Integrated Intervention and Support Team for Victims of Sexual Exploitation offers:

• Access to housing, employment support, and mental health services

• A victim-first approach that prioritizes immediate needs over courtroom involvement.

Detective Fady Dagher emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence in responding to youth exploitation, stating that “young girls…don’t need the legal aspect right away—they need food, apartment, a job.” Their work includes supporting teens well before they’re legally classified as requiring protection, to prevent their drift into exploitation.

Public Appeal: Steps to Identify More Victims
Police have made a public appeal through media channels and community outreach, requesting anyone who believes they may have been affected to contact them confidentially at 450‑463‑7192. Reports indicate Social Media, and possibly dating apps, played a role in victim recruitment, amplifying concerns that other vulnerable individuals remain unidentified.

In parallel, SPAL – in partnership with La Traversée and CIViS – is ensuring victims receive dedicated psycho-social and legal support under one roof, reinforcing the message that victims won't face blame or immediate legal pressure for coming forward.

Context: A Growing Pattern of Exploitation in Longueuil
This is not an isolated case. Since late 2021, Longueuil has seen multiple arrests in similar cases:

• Erickson Angibeau, 31, arrested November 2022 on pimping, human trafficking, and obstruction of justice, suspected of targeting adult victims in 2020–21.

• Julien Bouchard, 64, arrested February 2024 for sexual assault of minors; investigators believed he had additional undisclosed victims.

These cases, along with Psichary’s, underscore the presence of structured sexual exploitation networks on the South Shore, often facilitated via online platforms and targeting minors and vulnerable youth.

Law Enforcement Strategy: From Prosecution to Prevention
Longueuil police have moved beyond traditional law enforcement. In addition to criminal investigations, they're:

• Deploying their Sexual Exploitation Intervention Team featuring detectives specialized in both legal and social dimensions

• Engaging with community groups and schools to raise awareness

• Offering workshops in high-risk settings to encourage early help-seeking among youth.

Their two-pronged approach targets both criminal activity (e.g., pimping, trafficking) and vulnerability (i.e., preventing youth from being drawn into exploitation).

Legal and Social Framework: Navigating Complex Support Ecosystems
In Quebec, victims of sexual exploitation often confront web-like challenges involving:

• The Youth Protection Act (Loi sur la protection de la jeunesse)

• Criminal Code offences, including pimping, trafficking, and sexual assault

• Complex extraditions when offenders move off-site

SPAL collaborates closely with provincial and federal agencies—including Public Safety Canada’s Youth Prevention Program and Montérégie’s Equipe intégrée d'intervention et de soutien—ensuring a coordinated, evidence-based response.

One initiative from 2019 allocated nearly $852,000 to Longueuil for outreach to young people exiting sexual exploitation—demonstrating long-term investment in prevention alongside criminal intervention.

Community Impact & Vulnerable Populations
Plagued by poverty, substance use, and limited access to housing, many exploited individuals are teenage girls aged 16–25 from marginalized backgrounds. SPAL estimates as many as 100 individuals could currently be exploited in the Longueuil agglomeration.

Community leaders emphasize the need to treat exploitation as a public health issue, not just a criminal one—urging sustained investment in:

• Safe housing

• Drug treatment programs

• Mental health supports

• Economic stability initiatives

One public advocate stressed:

“This is more than crime—it’s a societal failure. Recovering youth need housing and healing before courtrooms.”

Public Reaction and Media Response
Media coverage has been sharp and sustained. City News reported emotional appeals from investigators and public health experts, along with an exhortation to victims hesitating to come forward.

On social media platforms like Reddit, some users expressed concern about victim privacy. One comment noted:

“Often names of accused are withheld to shield the identity of the victims... Publication bans aren’t always nefarious.”

This public support indicates a broader recognition that victim-centered, stigma-free disclosure is essential.

Next Steps in the Legal Process
Following his arrest, Psichary appeared in court, where charges were laid. The judicial process will include:

• Pre-trial hearings and disclosure

• Victim impact binders prepared alongside social supports

• Potential plea deals or full trial

• Sentencing that could include prison, probation, and mandatory treatment

SPAL continues its offender-focused tactics—aimed at dismantling recruitment networks—while safeguarding victims with long-term, non-judicial care.

Broader Implications: A Systemic Challenge
Longueuil’s case reflects wider systemic problems across Canada, including:

• Networks exploiting vulnerable youth via online channels

• The tension between criminal justice and victim care best practices

• The need for integrated, well-funded front-line responses

• Underreporting driven by fear, stigma, or economic dependence

Experts call for a national blueprint combining legal action, social intervention, and robust victim support systems—especially in provincial hotspots like Quebec’s south shore.

Turning Arrests Into Action
The arrest of Vancol Psichary marks a pivotal moment for Longueuil. But true impact comes from identifying survivors, disrupting networks, and holding exploiters accountable—all while building preventive social structures.

Police are clear: this is only the beginning. With more victims likely out there, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. Each report could bring someone one step closer to safety, trust, and recovery.