A West Australian man appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court yesterday (22 July, 2024) charged with allegedly accessing and possessing online child abuse material.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) arrested and charged the man, 56, after executing a search warrant at his home in the Perth suburb of Como yesterday morning (22 July, 2024).
Preliminary analysis of a mobile device seized at the home allegedly identified about 1000 images and videos of child abuse.
The man was charged with:
- Possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- Using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
The man was granted conditional bail at the hearing and will next appear in court on 6 September, 2024.
The arrest came after WA JACET, which comprises the AFP and Western Australia Police Force, investigated a report from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a user uploading child abuse material online.
WA JACET investigators allegedly linked the man to the illegal online activity.
AFP Detective Sergeant Karen Addiscott said the AFP and its Australian and international partners were relentless in their pursuit of anyone involved in the harm of children, including by accessing child abuse material online.
"This man woke up yesterday morning to a knock on the door from police and within hours found himself before the courts to answer for his alleged actions," Det-Sgt Addiscott said.
"Anyone who exploits children for their own sexual gratification can expect a similar decisive response."
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.
