Logan man charged with possessing child abuse material
A 25-year-old man is expected to face court today (Friday, 27 August 2021) charged with child abuse-related offences by the Brisbane Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET).
The investigation began after the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about child abuse material being transmitted between two email accounts.
Investigators from Brisbane JACET, which comprises AFP and Queensland Police officers, allegedly linked the 25-year-old man to both Yahoo email accounts.
A search warrant was executed at the man's Holmview home in July 2021, with officers seizing an Acer laptop and downloading the Yahoo account material that both allegedly contained child abuse material (CAM).
Police also seized an iPhone from the man which allegedly contained CAM.
The man was issued with notices to appear in Brisbane Magistrates' Court for the following offences:
- One count of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offences is 15 years' imprisonment.
Detective Superintendent ACCCE and Child Protection Operations Paula Hudson said AFP investigators are dedicated to protecting children around the world from abuse and aim to destroy the vile industry that preys on our community's most vulnerable.
"Our message to offenders accessing or exchanging child abuse material online is that we will never stop looking for you and we will bring you before the court."
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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