A Northern Territory man is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court today (3 March 2023) charged with transmitting child abuse material.
Officers from the Northern Territory Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) arrested and charged the man yesterday (2 March 2023).
The investigation began when the AFP received information from the FBI about an online user sharing child abuse material on social media platforms.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the man, 33, to the illegal online activity.
A search warrant was executed at the man 's Grey home on 2 March 2023, where NT JACET investigators allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices. The devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
AFP Superintendent Greg Davis said the investigation highlighted how closely police around the world worked together to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
"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," he said.
Northern Territory Police Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Russell said this arrest was the result of extensive multi-agency collaboration.
"This arrest sends a strong message to anyone who engages in child abuse. We are monitoring your behaviour and you will be caught," he said.
The man was charged with the following offences:
- One count of using a carriage service for child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of accessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Four counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (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 are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. 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.
