During its decade-long efforts to detect and stamp out hideous online child sexual exploitation committed by South Australian offenders, a small and dedicated taskforce of AFP and South Australia Police investigators have protected more than 370 children around the world from further abuse.
The South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) was formed in 2015 to provide a more coordinated investigative response and achieve the best possible outcomes for vulnerable young people in Australia and overseas.
In the decade since SA JACET was established, more than 370 child victims, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, from countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, United States and Southeast Asia, have been identified and removed from further harm.
During this time, SA JACET received 677 referrals from national and international law enforcement agencies relating to alleged South Australian-based offenders, resulting in the arrest of 654 people locally.
So far this financial year (2024-25)*, SA JACET investigations have resulted in the removal of 14 children from harm in Australia and overseas, and the charging of 49 men and women in South Australia for their alleged involvement in the online sexual exploitation or abuse of children.
AFP Detective Acting Sergeant Stephen Hegarty, from SA JACET, said there was no greater reward than being part of a resilient and dedicated team focused on protecting the youngest, and often most vulnerable, members of the community.
"As an original member of the SA JACET, I can say that repeatedly viewing videos and images of children being exploited, abused or tortured is tough – but it does not compare to the trauma that child victims endure," a/Sgt Hegarty said.
"The team's common goal is to make a difference in children's lives – ensure victims are identified and removed from further harm and protect other children from having their innocence stolen.
"Our team can spend weeks, months, or even years investigating just one of these evil and horrendous crimes and sadly, are often investigating several matters at once.
"Identifying suspects can require extensive intelligence gathering and investigative techniques, including using the execution of search warrants to gather evidence, and forensic examination of equipment and images.
"It's also important to remember an investigation does not end with an arrest.
"Police will continue to review seized images and videos to try to identify child victims, prepare evidence for the judicial process, investigate possible other offending, and provide referrals to other local and international agencies if required.
"JACET investigators are relentless, and we never give up trying to combat this crime type."
Acting Sergeant Hegarty said the co-location of the AFP and South Australian investigators provided significant opportunity to quickly and efficiently share jurisdiction-specific intelligence.
"JACET teams are in most Australian states and territories, and complement the efforts of the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE)," a/Sgt Hegarty said.
"With the AFP's involvement, JACET can also reach into our broad international network."
South Australia Police Acting Assistant Commissioner, Crime Service, Catherine Hilliard commended the hard work of SAPOL and AFP investigators over the past 10 years.
"Child protection will always be a key priority for South Australia Police, and we will continue working with partner agencies to keep children safe and remove them from harm," she said.
"We also work with other agencies across the world to identify and bring those involved in child exploitation to justice.
"Our hardworking investigators often spend their days examining confronting material, but seeing the results over the past 10 years of JACET provides further motivation to overcome obstacles and persist in our quest to detect and apprehend child sex offenders.
"SA JACET will continue to pursue child sex offenders wherever they may hide."
Acting Assistant Commissioner Hilliard urged parents to discuss online safety with their children.
"As a community it's important to be aware of the risks and warning signs in children to prevent their exploitation online," she added.
"This may include changes in behaviour, secrecy around devices, changing passcodes and isolating themselves in their rooms.
"Be approachable, have open conversations with your children, and know educational resources are available to assist in these vital conversations."
*Figures from the period 1 July, 2024 to 1 May, 2025.
Significant SA JACET sentencings from the past 12 months
June 2024
A South Australian man was sentenced to 23 years' imprisonment for soliciting sexually explicit material from 10 foreign children (Philippines) via social media platforms.
The sentencing is the first conviction in South Australia under mandatory minimum sentencing provisions for Commonwealth child sexual abuse offences.
November 2024
A South Australian man was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment - with a non-parole period of nine years - for child abuse offences, including the live streaming of young children overseas (Philippines).
Case studies
Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) seizures and forfeiture of homes in South Australia of convicted online child abuse offenders
- In November, 2020, the CACT restrained the Adelaide home of a man who was then accused of ordering and instructing live distance child abuse of children overseas, which he watched online from his home. It was the first time the AFP had restrained the home of an alleged child sex offender, who was not accused of profiting from his crimes. The man was later convicted and sentenced to more than 15 years' imprisonment. A total of 50 per cent of the market value of the property was ultimately confiscated.
- In December, 2024, the CACT restrained the home of a South Australian man who had been charged with more than 50 offences, largely relating to the alleged transmission and production of child abuse material on social media platforms.
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Other states (assets restrained/forfeited online child abuse offenders)
- In October, 2020, a Belgian national living in Sydney was the first person to have assets restrained by the CACT as part of a child protection investigation. He had been selling child abuse material from a website he operated. The CACT restrained the man's assets, estimated to be worth $30,000, which included funds in two bank accounts, camera equipment, a drone and scuba diving gear. The matter has been finalised, with the Supreme Court of NSW ordering all property be forfeited to the Commonwealth.
- In March, 2024, the CACT restrained the home of a Northern Territory man who was convicted of online child abuse offences. The home was subsequently forfeited to the Commonwealth in June, 2024.
- In March, 2025, the CACT restrained the home of a New South Wales man, charged with three offences relating to use of a carriage service to transmit, possess, and access child abuse material.
- In April, 2025, a Victorian Court made consent orders for a Geelong man, 32, to pay a sum of more than $850,000, being equal to the benefits he derived from the commission of his offences. He was convicted of controlling, producing and possessing child abuse material and dealing with proceeds of crime. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of various other property, including the proceeds of sale of two vehicles, 48 household items, including high-end televisions, audio-visual equipment, furniture and appliances, and more than $30,000 in funds.
Top tips for parents and carers
- Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with and what platforms, apps or games they are using.
- Have open conversations, often. Talk to your children often about their online activities.
- Check privacy settings. We recommend parents and carers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
- Encourage your child to recognise safe or unsafe situations and inappropriate contact. This can empower them to make informed decisions, including when they're unsupervised.
- Advise children not to share personal information with any 'friends' they have only met online.
- Be approachable if your child needs help. Coming forward isn't always easy, and children may feel reluctant to tell you about online issues if they believe they will be punished or have their devices taken away.
- Know how to make a report. It's important immediate action is taken if your child is in danger of online sexual abuse. If something goes wrong online, it is critical your child is supported. Parents and carers need to know how to act.
What are the warning signs a child may be groomed online?
Common online grooming behaviour to look out for includes:
- Unsolicited friend requests;
- An online user asking children personal questions;
- Promising something in exchange for self-generated child abuse material; or
- Fake social media accounts.
How can a report be made to the ACCCE or law enforcement?
- If parents or carers believe a child is being groomed, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible before the content is removed. This will assist police in their investigation.
- This evidence includes:
- Screenshots or photos of conversations. However, do not screenshot, save, share or distribute any explicit images of the underage person as this is an offence.
- Recorded social media details, including account profile and username profiles.
- Webpage addresses (URLs).
- Dates and times of when the online grooming occurred.
- Any other information you have about the interaction or the potential offender.
- Block or delete. It's important to capture this information before blocking or deleting the user or you may lose important evidence.
- 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 report through the ACCCE website, https://www.accce.gov.au/report.
- If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
- The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach.
The AFP-led ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.
The Centre 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 abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button.
Note to media:
Use of term 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.
Use of the phrase "child pornography" is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:
- indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.
