Man to face court for sharing child abuse material online
A 42-year-old Wimmera man is expected to face court on Monday (19 July 2021) after being charged with child abuse offences.
The Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team, comprising members from the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police, yesterday (Wednesday 14 July 2021) executed a search warrant at a property in the Wimmera.
Police will allege the man was in possession of child abuse material and had been sharing it electronically. Two phones containing child abuse material were seized during the search warrant.
The man was arrested and conveyed to the Horsham Police Station.
He was charged with seven counts of transmitting material using a carriage service, the material being child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
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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