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10 September 2020, 8:37am
Media Release

AFP and Queensland Police launch Cairns JACET to combat child exploitation

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police Service.

Queensland's efforts to combat the sexual exploitation of children across the state has been bolstered by the establishment of an Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) today in Cairns.

The announcement coincides with National Child Protection Week, held from 6 – 12 September, which calls on all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

AFP Detective Superintendent ACCCE and Child Protection Operations Paula Hudson said the new team will make Queensland the only Australian state with two geographically separate JACETS and is a major boost for law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to protect Australian children.

"We know in order to successfully identify, investigate and prosecute child sex offenders, that we must work together," Detective Superintendent Hudson said.

"The establishment of the new JACET in Cairns means both agencies have a greater coordinated investigative response in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for children across the entire state."

Detective Superintendent Hudson said the AFP and State and Territory JACETs are working towards the goal of preventing and stamping out the sexual exploitation of children, complementing the efforts of the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

"The success we've seen with the JACET model is due to having AFP officers in the same location as State and Territory police Sex Crime Commands, or units, and operating on information provided by the ACCCE. The ACCCE provides direct, specialist support for investigative agencies in Australia.

"It allows our committed investigators to work side-by-side to undertake joint investigations, and quickly share intelligence specific to their jurisdiction.

"We need to work together and be alive to the risks that may be facing our children to prevent online child sexual exploitation—during this week and every week," Detective Superintendent Hudson said.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said Queensland Police Service values this partnership which will strengthen investigative intelligence into preventing the creation, possession and distribution of child abuse material.

"QPS is committed to this partnership to ensure child sex offenders are held to account." Acting Chief Superintendent Hodgman said.

The AFP-led 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.

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.

Media enquiries

AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

QPS Media: (07) 3015 2444