The activity, led through the Australia New Zealand Child Protection Working Group, brings together state, territory, Commonwealth and New Zealand law enforcement agencies in support of National Child Protection Week. This year’s theme, ‘Every conversation matters: shifting conversation to action’, reflects the shared responsibility of families, communities, government and police to protect children from abuse and exploitation.
Police know that people who sexually abuse children can move across borders, use technology to conceal their activity and seek opportunities to reoffend. By sharing intelligence, coordinating operational activity and maintaining consistent offender management practices, jurisdictions are strengthening the national safety net around children and young people.
Registered sex offenders and post-sentence offenders are subject to strict reporting, supervision and monitoring obligations. Where offenders fail to comply, attempt to avoid supervision, access child abuse material, contact children unlawfully, or otherwise present an unacceptable risk, police will act.
Police will continue to use every lawful capability available to identify, disrupt and prosecute offenders, while also working with partners to prevent offending before it occurs.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Commissioner Tony Longhorn, Western Australia Police
“National Child Protection Week is a reminder that child safety is everyone’s responsibility, but it is also an opportunity for police to show the community that we are taking coordinated, practical action to identify, prevent and deter offending.”
“Across Australia and New Zealand, law enforcement agencies are sharing intelligence, targeting high-risk offenders and checking compliance with reporting and supervision obligations. This work is about protecting children, preventing harm and holding offenders to account.”
“Offenders should be in no doubt: Police are working together across borders, online and in communities. If you put children at risk or breach your obligations, we will take action.”
“We also know enforcement alone is not enough. Prevention matters. If someone is worried about their own thoughts or behaviours towards children, or about another person’s behaviour, confidential help is available through Stop It Now Australia.”
All Western Australia Police Force officers are dedicated to protecting children as part of their daily policing duties. The WA Police Force also has several specialised units focused on protecting children from offenders. These units include the Child Abuse Squad, Child Assessment and Interview Team, Child Exploitation Operations, Serious Offender Enforcement Unit, and the Financial and Cyber Crime Division.
Recently, detectives from these specialist units:
• Conducted 111 compliance checks
• Identified 28 breaches of conditions
• Executed nine search warrants
• Arrested 25 people
• Laid a total of 79 charges
• Seized more than 12.3 TB of online material
• Examined data on devices of 4TB
• Identified 15 children at risk by online offenders
• Identified three interstate and seven international online offenders targeting Western Australian children and referred their details to the relevant law enforcement agencies in the jurisdictions where they reside for further investigation and action.
Anyone with any information relating to the sexual abuse or exploitation of a child is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000. Information can also be reported via the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report .
