A South Australian man will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today (25 October, 2023) after being charged with allegedly abusing a child overseas.
A young girl, along with another young child, have been removed from harm in the Philippines following an international child sexual abuse investigation.
The investigation between the AFP and Philippines Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Adelaide International Airport found the illegal content when the man, 65, was spoken to on his return from Bali in May 2023. It is alleged that child abuse material was located on the man's mobile device during a baggage examination.
The AFP was notified, and undertook further investigation through the SA Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprising AFP and South Australia Police officers.
SA JACET investigators executed a search warrant at the man's Yankalilla home on 24 May, 2023 where they located and seized electronic devices. Further forensic examination of the devices allegedly identified additional child abuse material involving live online child sexual abuse.
The man was arrested and charged on 31 May, 2023 with the following offences:
- One count of persistent sexual abuse of a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.11 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- One count of producing and distributing child abuse material outside Australia, contrary to section 273.6 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Five counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of importing tier 2 goods, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for persistent sexual abuse of a child is 30 years' imprisonment.
SA JACET investigators consulted with the AFP international Liaison Officers in Manila with the matter being referred to the PICACC. The subsequent investigation resulted in the identification of two girls on the island of Bohol, who were removed from harm and placed into the care of child protection services.
AFP Sergeant Joe Barry said this case highlighted the strength of the AFP's national and international network and the commitment of all agencies to protect children around the world.
"The ability to share intelligence and resources with international partners is vital so that law enforcement can target and arrest those who prey on children," Sgt Barry said.
"Child sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime and victims are re-victimised every time images or videos of the crimes are accessed and shared."
AFP Manila Liaison Officer Detective Sergeant Daisie Beckensall said international partnerships are critical in fighting online child exploitation.
"The close partnerships between the AFP Manila office and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti Human Trafficking Division during this investigation highlights the importance of working together to remove children from harm."
NBI Attorney Catherine Nolsasco said the arrest of the man in Australia and the removal of the alleged victims in the Philippines is a demonstration of how law enforcement authorities collaborate.
"The NBI, with its strong partnership with the AFP, will continue to be relentless in fighting online sexual exploitation of children."
ABF Inspector Mel Duncan said officers can examine passenger's electronic devices at the border as part of their role to detect and disrupt illegal activity, which includes the storage and dissemination of child abuse material.
"While we of course wish our officers never had to come across this type of abhorrent material, it is results like this that underline the critical importance of our role in carefully inspecting digital devices at the border," Inspector Duncan said.
"Through the use of sharp intelligence, targeting and profiling techniques, ABF officers helped trigger an investigation that has removed two vulnerable children from harm's way."
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 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.
