25-year-old Queensland man to face child abuse material charges
*Images of this operation will be available here via hightail*
A Queensland man is set to face Pine Rivers Magistrates Court today (Friday 12 February, 2021) charged with child abuse material offences, following an Australian Federal Police (AFP) child protection operation.
The man was issued with notices to appear after the AFP executed a search warrant at his Caboolture home in November 2020.
Detectives seized a number of electronic items from the home, including four hard drives, two smart phones and a tablet.
AFP Child Protection Operations team in Brisbane launched an investigation into the alleged child abuse material after reports from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
It will be alleged in court the man accessed and uploaded child abuse material via Dropbox and Kik Messenger, as well as storing child abuse material on the devices.
The 25-year-old man has been charged with possessing child abuse material and using a carriage service to access child abuse material under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, which carry maximum penalties of 15 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Paula Hudson, Child Protection Operations said the investigation was an example of the AFP’s unwavering effort to target those seeking to access and spread this vile material and bring them to justice.
“The AFP, together with our partners across Australia and around the world are keeping a watch online to protect our children,” she said.
The ACCCE is committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and is at the centre of a collaborative national approach to combatting organised child abuse.
The Centre 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 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.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available, visit the ACCCE to learn more.
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.
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