This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police
A Mosman Park man, 56, who had previously been charged with online child abuse offences is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (4 November 2022) on nine additional charges.
The Western Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) charged the man with accessing, soliciting and transmitting child abuse material after a digital forensic examination of his seized electronic devices allegedly revealed further offences.
WA JACET, which comprises AFP and WA Police officers, first arrested and charged the man on 24 March 2022 after allegedly finding videos of girls being sexually abused stored on his electronic devices during a search of his home.
The search was the result of an investigation launched after a referral from Interpol about a teenager in the United Kingdom (UK) who told police about online communications she allegedly had with an Australian-based man.
AFP Detective Superintendent Graeme Marshall said the case demonstrated the commitment of the AFP and its local and international partners to fully investigate the extent of any alleged offending.
"Our joint focus is protecting children and to identify and prosecute anyone involved in exploiting or harming them," he said.
"Anyone who accesses this material is creating the demand that leads other people to physically abuse and humiliate children."
The additional charges laid against the 56-year-old are:
- Seven counts of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(ii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- One count of soliciting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(iv) of the Criminal Code Act 1995(Cth); and
- One count of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each of these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
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 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.
