A Brisbane man is expected to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court today (23 September, 2024) charged with three online child abuse-related offences.
The Northern Command Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (NC JACET) charged the man, 36, on 20 August, 2024 after investigating a report from the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation's (ACCCE) Intelligence Fusion Cell (IFC) about the man's alleged online activities.
NC JACET executed a search warrant at a home in South Ripley on 20 August, 2024.
Investigators allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices and those devices were seized for further forensic examination.
The man was charged with:
- Two counts of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
- Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- Using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each of the offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
The ACCCE's Intelligence Fusion Cell (IFC) is a multi-agency team that supports child protection operations across all Australian jurisdictions through the collection, collation and analysis of intelligence.
AFP Acting Detective Inspector Claire Arnold said police were not the only ones who identified and investigated suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation.
"The AFP and state and territory police are supported by the reach and expertise of government agencies, non-government organisations and private companies to investigate people who are involved in the harm of children," A/Det-Insp Arnold said.
"Everything you do online leaves a footprint and is almost impossible to hide. Anyone engaged in illegal activity online can very well expect a knock on the door from law enforcement."
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. 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.
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 the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
