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02 September 2020, 8:20am
Media Release

Sydney man faces nine charges over child abuse material

Arrest footage is available via Hightail.

A 44-year-old Sydney man is due to appear before Fairfield Local Court today (2 September 2020) on numerous child abuse charges following an investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The AFP Eastern Command Child Protections Operation (CPO) team arrested and charged the man yesterday (1 September) after searching his home in south western Sydney and allegedly finding child abuse material on electronic devices. The devices were seized for evidentiary purposes and will be examined further.

The AFP CPO team launched the investigation in June 2020 after a report from the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) about a Sydney man suspected of obtaining videos of children being sexually abused.

The man was refused police bail and is due to appear before court for the first time today on the following charges:

  • Seven counts of possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
  • One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
  • One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(ii) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment for each offence.

AFP Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar said the growing online demand for abusive material drives the sickening physical harm of children.

"Every child abuse photo or video circulating online tells the story of a young person having their innocence forcibly taken," Detective Sergeant Dunbar said.

"If you use, access or share this horrific material, you are complicit in the abuse of children.

"Let this arrest being a warning that the AFP and our partners are working tirelessly to protect children in Australia and overseas – we will make sure perpetrators are put before the courts."

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.

Media note:

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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