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07 August 2020, 8:38am
Media Release

South Australian man charged with online child abuse offences after Canadian tip

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police

A South Australian man has been charged with possessing child abuse material after Canadian authorities allegedly intercepted abhorrent images and sexualised chat between the 36-year-old and a person overseas.

The Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation launched an investigation after receiving a report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) earlier this year.

The report alleged an Australian-based user of an online forum received 12 files containing child abuse material from a person located overseas and they had engaged in sexualised role play chat.

The AFP will allege the Australian involved is a 36-year-old man from a town in South Australia's south-east.

The matter was referred to the South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) and a warrant was executed at the suspect's home in May (26 May 2020).

SA JACET investigators, comprising AFP and South Australia Police officers, allegedly found a large amount of child sexual abuse material on electronic devices at the home and those devices were seized for further analysis.

The man was charged and granted police bail with strict conditions to face Millicent Magistrates Court today (7 August 2020) on:

  • One count of possession or control of child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
  • Two counts of aggravated possession of child exploitation material, contrary to section 63A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA).

The offences carry maximum penalties between seven and 15 years imprisonment.

AFP acting Superintendent Gavin Stone said no child anywhere in the world should be victimised for the perverted desires of some people in our community.

"The AFP works tirelessly with South Australia Police and our international partners to keep children safe and bring to justice those who seek to do them harm," acting Supt Stone said.

"Collaboration is key and we need parents to join us on the frontline by supervising their children's internet use and talking to them about cyber safety."

Acting Supt Stone said this crime type is getting worse and the average number of images seized when an offender is arrested has been steadily increasing.

In the early-to-mid 2000s, a child sex predator had about 1000 images. Now offenders are found with between 10,000 to 80,000 images and videos.

Detective Superintendent Mark Wieszyk, Officer in Charge of the Public Protection Branch of South Australia Police said, "SAPOL and AFP investigators work tirelessly together to halt the exploitation of children and will continue their efforts to keep children safe".

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 National Media: (02) 5126 9297

SA Police Media: (08) 7322 3848