This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police Force
A West Australian man is expected to face Bunbury Magistrate's Court today (15 September 2022), after the WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) charged him with one count of possessing child abuse material.
The man, 69, was arrested on 29 August (2022) as part of AFP Operation Tamworth / WA Police Operation Palomar - a joint operation targeting offenders involved in the manufacture, distribution and possession of child exploitation material.
He was among 45 people charged following a joint operation in WA, which was done in the lead up to National Child Protection Week (NCPW) and involved the AFP, WA Police, and Australian Border Force. Police allegedly identified the man after investigating a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a person in Western Australia accessing child abuse material online.
A search warrant was executed at the man's home in WA's South West on 29 August 2022, where WA JACET investigators allegedly found child abuse material on his mobile phone. The device was seized for further forensic examination.
AFP Detective Sergeant Ross Hinscliff said the charges demonstrated the AFP's commitment to investigate and charge offenders believed to be involved in child exploitation and sexual abuse.
"This work is gut-wrenching, but our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone sharing or accessing child abuse material, and they will follow-up any information to bring these people to justice," he said.
The man was charged with:
- One count of possession of child exploitation material, contrary to section 220 of the Criminal Code Compilation Act 1913 (WA).
The maximum penalty for this offence is seven years' imprisonment.
WA JACET comprises officers from AFP and WA Police.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation 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.
