This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Western Australia Police Force.
A West Australian man has today (21 July 2023) been sentenced by the District Court of Western Australia to 18 months’ good behaviour after importing a child-like sex doll and accessing child abuse material.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) launched investigations into the man after the location and seizure of a child-like sex doll, which had been sent through the international air cargo stream in early 2021.
Officers executed a search warrant at the man’s Fremantle home, locating a number of electronic devices suspected to contain child abuse material.
The ABF referred the electronic devices to the WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), a joint AFP and WA Police Force taskforce.
A forensic review of the devices uncovered hundreds of illegal videos, including ones showing young girls being sexually abused.
The man pleaded guilty to the following charges laid by both the ABF and AFP:
- One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of accessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of importing a Tier 2 good, namely a child-like sex doll in contravention of Section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
ABF acting Superintendent Matthew Anthony said this outcome highlights the close partnership between the ABF and our partner law enforcement agencies to protect children in our community and arrest and prosecute child sex offenders.
“The dedicated work of our officers at the border identifies these criminals and sparks investigations, with our partner agencies, into their vile crimes,” acting Superintendent Anthony said.
“Protecting our children, and ensuring those that seek their harm are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, will always be a top priority for the ABF.”
AFP Acting Inspector Ross Hinscliff said children were re-victimised every time an image or video showing them being exploited or abused was accessed and disseminated.
“These are not just images on a screen – these are real children being subjected to harm and anyone who accesses these videos creates the demand for others to physically abuse them,” Acting Inspector Hinscliff said.
“The AFP works closely with partners locally and internationally to identify and bring to justice anyone involved in these crimes and protect children, wherever they live.”
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 are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. 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.
