Wollongong man jailed for online child abuse offences
A 51-year-old man from Wollongong, New South Wales, has been sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment for online child abuse offences. The man was arrested in July 2022 after a search warrant was executed at his home, where the Australian Federal Police (AFP) discovered electronic devices containing child abuse material. He pleaded guilty to two child abuse-related offences in June 2023.
Details of the Offences
The man was charged with one count of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service and one count of transmitting child abuse material. Both offences are in violation of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The severity of the sentence includes a non-parole period of two years’ imprisonment.
AFP’s Commitment to Identify Offenders
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Jeremy Staunton emphasized the AFP’s commitment to identifying offenders involved in the sharing or accessing of child abuse material. He stated that viewing such material is a crime and carries the risk of imprisonment. The AFP is actively collaborating with international partners to identify Australian offenders involved in the exploitation of children.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation began in February 2021 when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the United States’ National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The report highlighted an online user who was uploading child abuse material to social media platforms and adult chat sites. The ACCCE, along with its partners, is focused on combating child abuse and exploitation through a collaborative national approach.
How to Report Child Abuse
Members of the public who have information about individuals involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. Reports can be submitted on the ACCCE website. If immediate action is required or a child is at risk, the public is advised to call the police immediately. Support services for those impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation are available through the ACCCE’s website.
Importance of Online Safety Education
The ACCCE’s research conducted in 2020 revealed that only about half of parents talk to their children about online safety. To address this issue, the ACCCE leads an education program called ThinkUKnow, which provides advice and support to parents and caregivers to help protect children online. More information about this program can be found on the ThinkUKnow website.
About ACCCE and Their Role
The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is a specialized hub that brings together expertise and skills to support investigations into online child sexual exploitation. It also focuses on developing prevention strategies to create a safer online environment. The ACCCE’s website provides more information on the role they play, details about online child sexual exploitation, and how to report it.
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