A Northern Territory man has appeared in Darwin Magistrates Court today (22 August, 2025) charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material.
The NT Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NT JACET) charged the man, 32, yesterday (21 August, 2025).
Investigators allegedly identified the man while investigating a report from the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) in relation to an online user allegedly uploading child abuse material via a social media application.
NT JACET, which comprises officers from the AFP and Northern Territory Police, executed a search warrant at the man's Jabiru home yesterday (21 August, 2025), where they allegedly located child abuse material on a mobile phone.
The man was charged with one count of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Mark Yarrow said the AFP and its partners remained committed to a common goal of protecting children.
"Anyone who views or transmits this abhorrent material is committing a crime,'' a/Supt Yarrow said.
"Our message to online offenders has not changed, if you possess child abuse material, you will be arrested and prosecuted.
"Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators."
Northern Territory Police Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said anyone in possession of child abuse material would be found.
"Offending of this nature is abhorrent. Our investigators will continue to track down those who exploit children, and we will ensure they are held accountable before the courts," Det Snr Sgt Wilson said.
"If you are committing this type of offending, expect a visit from the NT Police Force's Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team."
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 are urged to contact the ACCCE. 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.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
