This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police
A 61-year-old South Australian man is due to face Christies Beach Magistrate's Court today (Friday 26 March, 2021), charged with child abuse material offences by the South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET).
The investigation began in November 2020 after the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding an online user uploading child abuse material to Google Drive.
Detectives from SA JACET, which comprises AFP and SA Police officers, allegedly linked the McLaren Vale man to the email addresses associated with the account.
A search warrant was executed at the man's residence on 14 February 2021, with investigators seizing a mobile phone that they will allege contained child abuse material.
The man was arrested and charged with possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
Detective Superintendent Gail McClure said the AFP, together with its state and territory law enforcement partners, remain committed to protecting our community's most vulnerable – our children.
"Anyone who views this material is harming a child, and helping to prop up a vile industry that will abuse more children to satisfy the demand," she said.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via the ACCCE website.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit the ACCCE to learn more.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow.
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
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