Northern Territory Police have charged a 29-year-old man with child exploitation offences in the Victoria River Region.
Detectives from the Northern Territory Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) have been investigating the man for a number of months. As part of those investigations, detectives travelled into the remote community yesterday.
A search warrant was conducted on a residence, and mobile phones used to access child abuse material were seized.
The 29-year-old was arrested and charged with:
- Possess or control child abuse material x 4
- Destroy evidence x 1
- Fail to comply x 1
He was conveyed to Katherine and currently remains in custody, expected to appear in court at a later date.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Sarah Firth said “The creation and distribution of child abuse material is completely reprehensible and has no place in our community. NT officers will continue to work closely with our federal partners, targeting this offending on all fronts.
AFP Superintendent Gregory Davis said the AFP was committed to working with local and international law enforcement partners to protect children from harm.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, we will find you, and you will be prosecuted,” Supt Davis said.
“This is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators.”
For online safety tips you can visit the eSafety Commissioner website for more information at https://www.esafety.gov.au/.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://crimestoppers.com.au/.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
