A man, 40, is expected to face Bunbury Magistrates Court today (29 September 2022) charged with two online child abuse offences.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) charged the man after investigating a report to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
The report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alleged an individual in WA was uploading child abuse material to an online messaging platform. AFP investigators allegedly linked the man, 40, to the online activity.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s home in Bunbury, in WA’s South West, on 29 August 2022 as part of a joint AFP Operation TAMWORTH and WA Police Operation PALOMAR investigation which resulted in criminal charges against 45 people for a variety of child abuse offences.
WA JACET, comprising AFP and WA Police officers, charged the man after allegedly finding child abuse material on a number of his electronic devices. The devices were seized for further forensic examination.
AFP Detective Sergeant Ross Hinscliff said the arrest was another reminder of the commitment from the AFP and its state, territory and international law enforcement partners to protect children and identify and prosecute anyone who sought to exploit and harm them.
"Anyone who produces or shares child abuse material is part of the problem, it is they who create the market for offenders somewhere in the world to physically hurt and exploit children.
"This arrest should serve as a warning that the AFP and our partners are dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the courts."
The man has been charged with:
- Two counts of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 220 of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 (WA)
The maximum penalty for the offence is seven years’ imprisonment.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
An award-winning podcast launched last year by the ACCCE 'Closing The Net' is working to change that, showcasing that knowledge is power and that our only chance to help prevent this issue is if we bring a 'whole-of-community' response.
The podcast series offers valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online. Listen to the Closing The Net podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
Note to media:
Use of term 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.
Use of the phrase "child pornography" is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:
- indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media: (02) 5126 9297
WA Police Force Media: (08) 9222 1011