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21 June 2019, 8:59am
Media Release

Sydney man to face court over child exploitation offences

A 35-year-old Sydney man is due to appear before a Sydney court on 10 July to face four child exploitation-related charges, following his arrest yesterday by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

In early June 2019, AFP Child Protection Operations received a referral from the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children about an Australian allegedly uploading child exploitation material online.

The AFP’s NSW Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) commenced an investigation and identified links to a 35-year-old Kensington man.

Yesterday (Thursday, 20 June 2019), the AFP NSW JACET executed a search warrant on the man’s house, where he was arrested.

A number of digital evidentiary items were seized, including phones, laptops and storage devices.

The man was charged with:

  • Two counts of possessing child pornography material, contrary to section 91H(2) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW);
  • Using a carriage service to access child pornography material, contrary to section 474.19(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
  • Using a carriage service to make available child pornography material, contrary to s474.19(1)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).

The man was given police bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, 10 July 2019.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child sexual exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Note to media: USE OF TERM ‘CHILD EXPLOITATION’, NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’

Use of the phrase “child pornography” 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 captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not “pornography”.

Media enquiries:
AFP National Media: (02) 5129 9297