Sydney man jailed over child abuse material offences
A 26-year-old Rooty Hill man charged with child abuse material offences has been sentenced to three years and eight months in jail following an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation.
The investigation began after the AFP received a report from Europol about a Facebook user based in Australia using multiple accounts to groom juvenile victims into providing child abuse material.
In July 2020, AFP Child Protection Operations executed a search warrant at the man’s home in the Sydney suburb of Rooty Hill. Two electronic devices belonging to the man were seized for digital forensic analysis.
On 21 October 2020, the man was arrested and charged with:
- Nine counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material against section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- Eleven counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service against section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth).
On October 18, 2021 the man was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, with a non-parole period of two years.
AFP Acting Sergeant Adam Barcham said the case showed how important it was for parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers of the online environment to keep children safe.
“Social media apps and networks are an ever present part of our children’s lives. While the AFP is working tirelessly to track down and charge those who are looking to exploit children, parents and carers need to have open conversations with children about their online activity,” he said.
“The AFP will continue to work with the community and our domestic and international partners to keep our children safe online.”
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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