This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police, the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and Western Australia Police
A 30-year-old West Australian man is expected to face Perth Magistrate's Court today (Friday, 17 July) over his alleged involvement in an Australian online child exploitation network.
The man was allegedly identified as exchanging child abuse videos and photographs with a NSW man, who was arrested and charged in May as part of the Australian Federal Police-led Operation Arkstone.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) will allege the Yangebup man had been sharing abusive content with the NSW 29-year-old since late last year (2019).
Police will also allege the 30-year-old had shared child abuse material with other online contacts through a social media platform.
WA JACET, which comprises AFP and WA Police officers, executed a search warrant at the man's home in June and he was charged with:
· One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
· One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
AFP acting Sergeant Mark Tucker, from WA JACET, said police will allege that this man and others charged under Operation Arkstone had to provide abusive content to access different images and videos for themselves.
"People who sit at their computers at homes across Australia and exchange this material create the horrific demand that causes others to physically violate and humiliate vulnerable children," acting Sergeant Tucker said.
"Online offenders are just as complicit in the physical crimes - and the results from Operation Arkstone so far should be a warning the AFP and our State police partners are hunting them down and will do whatever we can to unmask them and put them before the courts.
"No child should have their innocence stolen to satisfy an adult's depraved sexual impulses or desire for control."
The AFP's Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation - which is headquartered in Brisbane and is co-ordinating Operation Arkstone - is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.
The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
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