This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police
An Adelaide man, 62, was today (15 July, 2022) sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment by the Adelaide District Court for uploading, possessing and accessing child abuse material.
Investigators from the South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), executed a search warrant at the man’s McLaren Vale home in February 2021 and found child abuse material on his mobile phone.
The material was hidden inside a secure folder on the phone that contained more folders with child abuse material.
The arrest followed referral from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the AFP Child Protection Triage Unit in November 2020 about a user posting child abuse material to social media.
AFP Acting Sergeant Jordan Dowling said this arrest was another reminder of the commitment of the AFP and its partners to protect children and identify and prosecute anyone who seeks 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 child abuse material online, which causes further harm to our community’s most vulnerable – our children,” Acting Sergeant Dowling said.
“This case should serve as a warning law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the court.”
The man pleaded guilty in November 2021 to three offences:
- Possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- Using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), and
- Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.
The man will have to serve one year and six months’ imprisonment before his release.
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.
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.
