A Victorian man has been sentenced, after pleading guilty to a series of online child abuse offences.
The Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team, comprising AFP and Victoria Police members, launched its investigation into the Mildura man, 42, in January 2022.
Police identified the man was using the Kik messaging application to transmit, solicit and distribute child exploitation material, including videos and images under two usernames between September and October 2021.
On 24 February 2022, JACET detectives executed a search warrant at the man’s Mildura home and seized phones, hard drives and USB devices, along with a laptop and computer tower.
Detectives then confirmed the man had portrayed himself to be a female to solicit child abuse material.
The man also requested child exploitation material to trade with other allegedly adult users on the platform.
The man was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended, after facing the Mildura Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 26 October, 2022).
The Mildura man was also placed on a recognisance order for three years.
AFP Senior Constable Mark Sharer said the AFP, together with its state and territory law enforcement partners, remained committed to protecting our community’s most vulnerable – our children.
“Anyone who views this material is committing a crime,” he said.
“Our message to online offenders – is that if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.
“This is not a victimless crime. Every child abuse image is a crime scene photo of a sexual assault and trading them only serves to encourage and embolden abusers. Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators.”
The man pleaded guilty to the following offences after facing court on Friday 21 October, 2022:
• 1 count – Access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
• 1 count – Transmit child abuse material to self, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
• 1 count – Solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
• 1 count – Distribute child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
• 1 count – Possess child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation 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.
