A St James man is expected to appear before Perth Magistrates Court today (23 May, 2025), charged for allegedly possessing and accessing child abuse material and bestiality content.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) charged the man, 27, in March, 2025, after investigating a report to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) about a person allegedly accessing child abuse material online.
Police allegedly linked the man to the illegal online activity and executed a search warrant at his home on 20 March, 2025.
Investigators located a mobile phone, which allegedly contained images and videos of child abuse material and bestiality content. Forensic examination of the device is ongoing.
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 this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment; and
One count of possessing objectionable material (bestiality), contrary to section 101(1)(b) of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1996 (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is 18 months' imprisonment or a $15,000 fine.
AFP Inspector Shona Davis said anyone who viewed images and videos of children or animals being sexually abused was committing a crime.
"The AFP and its partners are committed to protecting children and prosecuting anyone involved in their harm," Insp Davis said.
"Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators."
If you have information that could help law enforcement, report it to the Australia Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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 on the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
