The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) has charged a Perth man for allegedly possessing, accessing and transmitting child abuse material.
The man, 19, is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court today (Friday, 31 May, 2024).
Officers from the WA JACET, which comprises AFP and Western Australia Police Force, arrested the man at his Waikiki home yesterday (30 May, 2024).
Investigators had executed a search warrant at the home and seized a mobile phone.
Initial analysis of the device allegedly revealed the man was in possession of child abuse material.
The man was charged with:
- One count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Two counts of transmitting child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of accessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for each of the offences is 15 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Sergeant Karen Addiscott said anyone who accessed, transmitted or possessed child abuse material was perpetuating the abuse of children.
“Each time someone shares or views child abuse material they are continuing the abuse of that child,” she said.
“The AFP works with the Western Australia Police Force to protect children online and we are united in the fight to bring those who victimise children before the court.”
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 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.
