This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force.
A West Australian man is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (4 November, 2022) charged with possessing child abuse material.
An investigation into the man, 24, began in March 2022, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers inspected a package at air cargo destined for a Perth address and located items classified as objectionable child abuse material, under Regulation 4A of Customs (Prohibited Import) Regulations 1956.
ABF Investigators executed a search warrant on 10 March 2022, at an East Perth address listed on the package.
Investigators seized a number of electronic devices that allegedly contained child abuse material and referred the evidence to the WA JACET. The man was also issued with an infringement for the importation of the objectionable material.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET), which comprises AFP and WA Police officers, forensically examined the devices before arresting the man on 25 October 2022.
The man was charged with:
- Two counts 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) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of possessing obscene material, contrary to section 59(5) Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1996 (WA).
The maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years’ imprisonment for each Commonwealth offence and a penalty up to $5,000 for the WA State Offence
AFP Acting Sergeant Kevin Shaw said research had shown people who used the dolls could become desensitised to the physical, emotional and psychological harm caused by sexual abuse of children and may lead to an escalation in child sex offending.
“These dolls are far from harmless,” he said.
“The evidence is clear that the dolls are not used as a substitute for offending against real children but in fact contribute to increased offending against children, including viewing of online child abuse material and contact sexual offending.
“This arrest sends a clear message that the AFP will pursue any form of child exploitation or activity that encourages or reinforces the sexual abuse of children. This includes sexual acts using items depicting children such as these dolls, which are legally classified as child exploitation material.”
ABF Superintendent Clinton Sims said ABF officers would not waiver in their steadfast commitment to stop this kind of importation into Australia.
“The ABF is committed to pursuing those who attempt to import all forms of child abuse material. It is deeply disturbing that people continue to try to import and possess these offensive items,” Superintendent Sims said.
“We will continue to work closely with our international and domestic law enforcement partners to prevent harm to children in Australia and overseas.”
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.
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.
