Media Release
Victorian man jailed for online child abuse offences
A Victorian man has been sentenced by the Melbourne County Court today (18 February, 2026) to 16 months imprisonment for online child abuse offences.
He will be eligible for release on a recognisance order after serving three months imprisonment.
The Mornington man, 50, previously pleaded guilty to:
- One count of possessing child abuse material obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service contrary, to section 474.22 (1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Quotes attributable to AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano:
“Children are some of the most vulnerable members of society, and the AFP is fiercely committed to protecting them from harm.
“For those producing, possessing or sharing this kind of abhorrent material – the AFP is working tirelessly to identify you and place you before the courts to face justice for these vile crimes.”
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.
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.
