Child exploitation material arrest, Cairns
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and the Queensland Police Service.
Police have charged a 36-year-old Cairns man with multiple child exploitation material offences as part of a joint law enforcement investigation.
The man was arrested on October 29 by detectives from the Cairns Child Protection and Investigation Unit and AFP as part of the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET).
The arrest followed the execution of a search warrant on a Westcourt address where a number of electronic devices were seized.
The man was charged with 59 offences of possessing, accessing, distributing and making child exploitation material.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 21.
Officer in Charge of the Cairns District Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Mick Gooiker said the outcome was the result of a strong law enforcement partnership.
“This arrest shows the excellent work being performed by the Cairns JACET team and clearly highlights the strong teamwork being developed between the QPS and AFP investigators in this team,” Detective Senior Sergeant Gooiker said.
Investigations are continuing.
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
QPS Media: (07) 3015 2444