This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police
A 47-year-old man is expected to face Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court today (30 May 2022) after he allegedly accessed child abuse material on end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) charged the man with four offences after allegedly finding videos of children being sexually abused on his mobile phone and computer.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s home earlier this month (May 2022) after allegedly linking him to a messaging account that had accessed illegal material.
JACET investigators examined the 47-year-old’s electronic devices and allegedly found records of online chats that contained the files of child abuse material. The devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
AFP Detective Sergeant Ross Hinscliff said anyone who accessed and viewed files of children being sexually abused was committing a crime.
“Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators,” he said.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, we will find you and prosecute you.”
The man has been charged with:
- Two counts of possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995(Cth);
- Two counts of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.
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.
