This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police Force
A man, 31, is expected to face Perth Magistrate's Court today (18 November, 2022) after the WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) charged him with child abuse offences.
The man was arrested as part of AFP Operation Tamworth / WA Police Operation Palomar, which was a joint operation targeting offenders involved in the manufacture, distribution and possession of child exploitation material.
Police allegedly identified the WA man after investigating a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an individual in Western Australia accessing child abuse material online.
WA JACET investigators, comprising officers from the AFP and WA Police, executed a search warrant at the man's Kingsley home on 30 August, 2022.
The man allegedly refused to provide officers the passcode to open his phone and he was arrested and charged before being released on bail. Officers seized the phone for further forensic examination.
During the forensic examination of the phone, police discovered alleged child abuse material.
WA JACET investigators charged the Kingsley man on 14 November, 2022, and issued him with a summons to appear in court on 18 November 2022
AFP Acting Sergeant Kevin Shaw said this arrest was another reminder of AFP's commitment to work with its state and international partners to protect children and identify and prosecute anyone seeking to exploit and harm them.
"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," he said.
The man has been charged with:
- One count of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of failing to comply with section 3LA of the Crimes Act 1914, contrary section 3LA (6) of the Crimes Act 1914.
The maximum penalty for possessing child abuse material is 15 years' imprisonment.
The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a 3LA search warrant is 10 years' imprisonment.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation 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.
