NSW man charged for possessing and sharing child exploitation material
A 36-year-old Sydney man accused of possessing and sharing child abuse material has faced Campbelltown Local Court today (Friday 10 July, 2020), charged with 12 offences.
The AFP’s NSW Child Protection Operations team launched an investigation after receiving a report from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) on 25 June, 2020.
The man was arrested following a search warrant executed at a Leumeah property early yesterday morning (Thursday 9 July, 2020) with the assistance of the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) Child Exploitation Internet Unit.
A number of electronic items, including a laptop, mobile phones, hard drives and memory cards were seized following a search of the home.
The man was charged with the following offences:
- Seven counts of possess or control child abuse material, obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Two counts of use carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995; and
- Three counts of use carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute, advertise or promote material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
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.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
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EDITORS NOTE: Media are reminded of their obligations under s15A of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) and s105 of the Children and Young Person (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW).
Note to media:
USE OF TERM 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL, NOT 'CHILD PORNOGRAPHY'
Use of the phrase "child pornography" 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 captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not "pornography".
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