Caboolture man charged with possessing child abuse material
A 26-year-old Queensland man is expected to face court today (Wednesday 23 June 2021), charged with child abuse-related offences by officers from the Australian Federal Police Child Protection Operations.
The man was charged following a report to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Investigators allegedly linked the Caboolture man to child abuse material from Tumblr and other online accounts.
Police conducted a search warrant at the man’s Caboolture home in April, where a laptop, desktop computer and two smart phones were taken for further examination.
The man was charged with possessing child abuse material obtained using a carriage service, and using a carriage service to access child pornography material.
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
He is expected to appear before Caboolture Magistrates Court today (23 June 2021).
AFP Child Protection Operations Detective Superintendent Paula Hudson said viewing, downloading or storing child abuse material is still a form of abuse for victims.
“Every image or video that depicts a child being abused is abhorrent and sharing or possessing these represents a crime and has no place in our society,” Detective Superintendent Hudson 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 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available.
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.
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