A Perth man is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates today (12 January, 2024) charged with multiple child abuse material-related offences.
The investigation began when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an online user uploading child abuse material to a Google Drive account.
AFP investigators allegedly linked the man, 47, to the alleged illegal online activity.
A search warrant was executed at the man's Craigie home yesterday (11 January, 2024), with investigators seizing multiple electronic devices which allegedly contain child abuse material. The devices will be subject to further forensic examination.
AFP Detective Inspector Andrea Coleman said the charges demonstrated the AFP's commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse.
"This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who allegedly commit these offences before the court," Det-Insp Coleman said.
"Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material.
"We also need the community's help to ensure we are effective in identifying victims and perpetrators.
"If you have information that could help law enforcement, please contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report."
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 Act 1995 (Cth);
- Two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of accessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
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 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.
