A West Australian man is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (22 November, 2024) charged with accessing, possessing and transmitting online child abuse material.
The investigation began when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an online user uploading child abuse material.
The report allegedly related to the user making child abuse material available online, as well as material that encouraged young girls to self-harm for the viewer's sexual gratification.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) allegedly linked the man, 25, to the account and executed a search warrant at his Karrinyup home on 1 November, 2024. Investigators allegedly found child abuse material on electronic devices and seized them for further forensic examination.
WA JACET, which comprises AFP and Western Australia Police Force officers, charged the man with seven offences:
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Two counts of possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
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One count of accessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
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Three counts of transmitting child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
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One count of cause to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Andrea Coleman said the AFP and its partners were dedicated to combatting child sexual abuse and exploitation.
"Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone who accesses or shares child abuse material because these crimes contribute to the physical harm and exploitation of children," Det Insp Coleman said.
"Protecting children, wherever they live, is our priority."
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.
