WA man charged with possessing child abuse material
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police
Editor’s Note: Audio grabs from AFP Detective Sergeant Ross Hinscliff are available via Hightail.
A 42-year-old man is expected to face Perth Magistrates Court today (22 April 2022) charged by the Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) with possessing child abuse material.
WA JACET, which comprises AFP and WA Police officers, charged the man with two offences on 8 April, after a forensic examination of electronic devices they found at his home on 31 March revealed illegal videos and images stored on two devices.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the man's home in Perth’s southern suburbs as a result of an investigation launched after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report identified an online user believed to be in WA had uploaded child abuse material to an online platform and AFP investigators were allegedly able to link the 42-year-old to the associated account.
The man will face court today charged with two counts of possession of child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Sergeant Ross Hinscliff said the AFP and its partners were committed to identifying and prosecuting anyone contributing to the harm of children.
"Anyone who views this material is harming a child, and helping to prop up a vile industry that will abuse more children to satisfy the demand," he said.
The AFP is also urging the public to help it solve cold case child abuse investigations through its Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative. The smallest clue can often help solve a case.
The world-leading initiative, is centred on the publishing of non-confrontational images that can be seen in child exploitation online material such as pieces of clothing or bedding.
Australian investigators believe the images are linked to victims in the Asia Pacific Region, including Australia, and are calling on the community to view the images and make a report at www.accce.gov.au/trace
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting child exploitation and abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation and abuse are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and online exploitation, there are support services available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
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 National Media: (02) 5126 9297
WA Police Force Media: (08) 9222 1011