This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police
A 20-year-old man is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (11 March 2022) charged by the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) with soliciting child abuse material online.
The WA man was charged on 2 March 2022 after officers searched his Swan View home and allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices.
The arrest was the result of an investigation launched after the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
The report identified an online user based in Australia had uploaded child abuse material to the KIK platform.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the Swan View man to the account.
When WA JACET – which comprises AFP and WA Police officers – executed a search warrant at the man’s home on 2 March, investigators allegedly found chat logs stored on a mobile phone that were requests for child abuse material.
Police seized a mobile phone and laptop during the search, the digital devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
The man was arrested and charged with solicit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Sergeant Ross Hinscliff said the charges demonstrated the AFP’s commitment to investigate and charge anyone believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse.
“This work is gut-wrenching, but our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material,” he said. “Our common goal is to protect children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts.”
The AFP is also urging the public to help it solve cold case child abuse investigations through its Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative. The smallest clue can often help solve a case.
The world-leading initiative, is centred on the publishing of non-confrontational images that can be seen in child exploitation online material such as pieces of clothing or bedding.
Australian investigators believe the images are linked to victims in the Asia Pacific Region, including Australia, and are calling on the community to view the images and make a report at www.accce.gov.au/trace
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting child exploitation and abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation and abuse are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and online exploitation, there are support services available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
