Media Release: Five Adelaide men charged over child exploitation material

Release Date: Friday, May 07 2010, 10:47 AM

A week-long Australian Federal Police (AFP) operation targeting people accessing child abuse material online has resulted in charges being laid against five Adelaide men.

Acting on referrals received from overseas law enforcement agencies, federal agents executed six warrants in locations across Adelaide, seizing hard drives, laptop computers, routers and other evidentiary material.

AFP Manager Adelaide Office Sharon McTavish said the operation highlighted the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat all facets of the trade and production of child sexual abuse material.

“Internet users must be aware that downloading and sharing images of child sexual abuse is a crime,” Superintendent McTavish said.

“This operation shows that if you access child sexual abuse images, then you will be investigated, charged and face serious prison terms.

“The internet is not anonymous. Every image downloaded can be traced.

“The AFP will work tirelessly, in partnership with international law enforcement agencies, and here in Adelaide with South Australia Police, to detect and apprehend those who deal in this heinous trade.”

The following persons have been charged as a result of this operation with using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cwlth) and possession of child pornography, contrary to section 63 of the Criminal Code Act (SA):

• A 50-year-old Morphett Vale man
• A 48-year-old Reynella East man
• A 45-year-old Craigmore man
• A 36-year-old Evandale man

A 57-year-old Loxton man has also been charged with using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cwlth).

They will all appear at Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.

The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years imprisonment.

Media enquiries
AFP National Media Team
Phone: (02) 6275 7100

Note to media:

CHILD ABUSE IMAGES, NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’

Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ actually benefits child sex abusers:

• It indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser
• It 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.