This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.
An 18-year-old Melbourne woman has been charged with child exploitation offences and an infant child has been rescued following urgent action undertaken yesterday by officers of the Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (VIC-JACET).
The search was successfully concluded late yesterday, when JACET investigators located the woman at a premises in Lalor. The infant child was also located safe at a separate premises.
The JACET became aware of the matter following an arrest by the National Crime Authority (NCA) in the United Kingdom.
The woman is scheduled to appear at a Children's Court. The woman has been charged with:
- using a carriage service to transmit child pornography contrary to 474.19(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- using a carriage service to produce child pornography contrary to 474.20(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- sexual touching of a child under 16, contrary to section 49D(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).
- sexual penetration of a child under 12, contrary to section 49A(i) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic).
The woman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling praised investigators for their work in this matter.
"I want to praise the commitment and collaborative effort of the Victorian JACET members who had to deal with this material, and then carry out complex searches and enquiries to identify and locate this woman and infant," she said.
"JACET investigators regularly have to deal with the most abhorrent aspects of society, and I can't praise them more highly for what they do in matters such as this, where they significantly alter a child's life by removing them from an extremely harmful and distressing situation."
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in online child sexual exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Victorian JACET comprises members of the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.
