A North Sydney man is expected to appear in Hornsby Local Court today (19 December, 2022) charged with three online child abuse-related offences.
The investigation began on 16 September, 2022 when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an online user uploading child abuse material to Facebook Messenger.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the man, 65, to the illegal online activity.
A search warrant was executed at the man Hornsby home last week (15 December, 2022) where police allegedly found child abuse material on multiple electronic devices and the Facebook account used to transmit child abuse material.
A mobile phone and laptop were seized and will be subject to further forensic examination.
The man was arrested and taken into custody where he was refused bail.
AFP Senior Constable Brendan Hayler said the charges demonstrated the AFP's commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse.
"This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the court," Senior Constable Hayler said.
"Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material.
"But we will always need the community's help to ensure we are effective in identifying victims and perpetrators.
"If you have information that could help law enforcement, please contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report."
The man was charged with:
- Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of using carriage service to access child abuse material contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 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.
