Melbourne man charged with possessing child abuse material across several devices
A 63-year-old Melbourne man is due to appear before court today following an investigation into his alleged online activities by the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET).
The VIC JACET operation began following a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an email account user allegedly accessing child exploitation images online in August 2020.
Enquiries by the Australian Federal Police (AFP)-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) revealed the account was allegedly linked to a 63-year-old Melbourne man.
A search warrant was executed at the man’s Ringwood residence on Wednesday (18 November 2020) where investigators seized a large number of electronic items, including a computer and storage devices.
The man was charged with possessing child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A (1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). He was bailed to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, 20 November).
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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