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18 September 2020, 1:23pm
Media Release

Man jailed after discovery of more than 3000 child abuse images, videos

A 48-year-old Melbourne man has been jailed, after pleading guilty to possessing thousands of child abuse images and videos.

The man appeared before the Melbourne County Court via video-link today (18 September 2020), where he was sentenced to two years and eight months' imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of six months.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP)-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received intelligence relating to the transmitting of child abuse material online.

The matter was then referred to the Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET).

JACET investigators executed a search warrant at the man's Abbotsford property on 13 November 2019, seizing a number of electronic items and storage devices.

Analysis of the man's four storage devices later identified a collection of more than 2000 images and over one thousand video files classified as child abuse material.

Investigators determined the man had shared the child exploitation material online on a number of occasions using social media and messaging platforms.

The man was charged with possessing and transmitting child exploitation material offences.

The VIC JACET comprises of investigators from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police (VICPOL).

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.

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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