Queensland man charged with child exploitation offences
A 43-year-old Queensland man has been arrested and charged with child exploitation offences following investigations by the Queensland Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET).
Detectives from the Qld JACET, together with the Queensland Police Service executed a search warrant at a home in Mansfield yesterday (Wednesday, 4 December) in relation to the alleged sharing and distributing of child exploitation material (CEM).
During the search warrant officers seized a personal computer, mobile device, DVD and CDs allegedly containing CEM.
The investigation began on 7 November 2019 when Qld JACET officers identified an internet address allegedly sharing child exploitation material.
The man was subsequently charged with:
- Fifteen counts of possessing child exploitation material, contrary to section 228D of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld)
- One count of using a carriage service to make available child pornography, contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)
The maximum penalty for these offences is 14 and 15 years imprisonment (respectively).
He was released on bail and is next due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 20 December 2019.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation or abuse are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Note to media: USE OF TERM 'CHILD EXPLOITATION', NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
Use of the phrase "child pornography" 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 up images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".
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