Four women who are alleged victims in a deepfake investigation involving their real faces in AI-generated scenes of rape and torture have expressed anger and frustration with the Ottawa Police Service's investigation, claiming it is not trauma-informed and that they lack essential information and mental health resources.

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The Ottawa Police Service is the lead agency in a multijurisdictional investigation involving deepfake images of multiple women, some of whom were allegedly raped and tortured in AI-generated scenes.

Stephen Lowe, 60, of Maitland, N.S., and Gregry Peter Van Beek,of West Nipissing, Ont., have been charged with various offenses related to the creation and distribution of the deepfake images.

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The women, whose identities are protected by a court-ordered publication ban, have expressed frustration with the investigation, claiming it is not trauma-informed and that they lack essential information and mental health resources.

According to the Ottawa Police Service, the investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

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The Ottawa Police Service's handling of the deepfake investigation has raised concerns about the lack of trauma-informed approach and support for victims .

Experts say that trauma-informed approach is crucial in handling cases involving deepfake images, as it can cause significant emotional distress to the victims.

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The Ottawa Police Service has been criticized for not providing the victims with adequate support and information about the criminal justice system.

The police service has stated that they are working to improve their response to victims of deepfake images, but the women involved in the case say that more needs to be done.

Open questions

One of the main concerns raised by the women is the lack of transparency in the investigation, particularly with regards to the charges against the two men accused of creating and distributing the deepfake images.

They are also seeking more information about the criminal justice system and the support services available to them.

Broader context

The Ottawa Police Service's handling of the deepfake investigation is part of a larger trend of law enforcement agencies struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of technology.

Experts say that this is a critical issue that requires a coordinated response from law enforcement, policymakers, and the tech industry.