A West Australian man is scheduled to face Perth Magistrates Court today (23 May, 2025), charged with two online child abuse offences.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Perth Airport selected the man, 73, for a baggage examination when he arrived on an overseas flight on 12 May, 2025.
During the examination, the ABF allegedly located multiple videos on the man's phone showing children being sexually abused and then ABF officers alerted the AFP.
The AFP seized the phone for further review and charged the man with:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of cause child abuse material to be transmitted to himself, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Each of these offences carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Inspector Shona Davis said anyone who accessed and viewed child abuse material fuelled demand for abuse and physical harm of children.
"This is not a victimless crime," Insp Davis said.
"The AFP works closely with ABF and other partners in Australia and overseas to protect children and prosecute anyone involved in their harm."
ABF acting Superintendent Dean Simpson said frontline ABF officers were finding child abuse material on the devices of passengers all too often in recent years.
"Uncovering vile criminals who exploit the most vulnerable members of our community will always be a priority for the ABF," a/Supt Simpson said.
""It is a tragedy that this material exists, but the work of our highly skilled officers is critical to stop its spread."
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. 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.
