An Adelaide man is expected to appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court today (21 November) after being charged with online child abuse offences.
The investigation began in December 2021 after the SA JACET - comprising officers from the AFP and South Australia Police - received a report from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in relation to the man allegedly possessing child abuse material.
Members of the SA JACET executed a search warrant on 11 May, 2022 at the man's Elizabeth Downs home where they located and seized a mobile phone and hard drive.
The man, 26, was arrested and charged with:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material, obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- One count of aggravated possession of child exploitation material, contrary to 63A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (SA), and
- One count of possession of child exploitation material, contrary to 63A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (SA).
The maximum penalty for these offence is 15 years imprisonment.
AFP Detective Sergeant Joe Barry said the AFP, together with its state and territory law enforcement partners, remained focussed on protecting our community's most vulnerable - our children.
"The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts," he said.
"Anyone who views this material is enabling the harming of a child and helping prop up a vile global industry that will abuse more children to satisfy the demand," Detective Sergeant Barry said.
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.
