NSW man to face court for online child exploitation
*Editor's Note: Vision of the arrest is available via hightail.
A 46-year-old man charged with allegedly possessing child abuse videos and images is expected to face Condobolin Court today (9 December 2020).
Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers from the Eastern Command Child Protection Operations team arrested the man at his home in Central West NSW yesterday (8 December 2020) after he was allegedly identified during an investigation into an alleged child sex offender in Victoria.
Police suspect the 46-year-old man shared child abuse material on a social media platform.
AFP officers found child abuse material on the man’s mobile phone when they executed a search warrant at his home yesterday.
He was charged and refused police bail to face court today for possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The potential maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Senior Constable Ernest Smith said online offenders may think they are anonymous but they can be exposed through their criminal connections.
“This case is an example of how one piece of information can identify a wider network,” he said.
“It does not matter where offenders are based – the AFP is working closely with partners around Australia and overseas to protect children and stop anyone who preys on them.”
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit to learn more www.accce.gov.au/support
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation: www.thinkuknow.org.au
Note to media:
Use of term ‘CHILD ABUSE’ MATERIAL NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’
The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.
Use of the phrase "child pornography" is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:
- indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.
Media enquiries
AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297