Media Release
Chinese national in WA court charged with online child abuse offences
This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor’s note: Image available via Hightail
A Chinese national is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (9 May, 2025) charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material.
An investigation started in March, 2025, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Perth Airport examined the man’s baggage when he arrived in Australia on a flight from Asia.
ABF officers allegedly found photos and videos on a phone depicting child abuse material and alerted the AFP.
The AFP questioned the man and examined the phone before charging him with two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material in the form of data held in a computer or held in a data storage device, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.
The man, who has been living in Perth, faced Perth Magistrates Court in March and was granted conditional bail to reappear in court today.
AFP Inspector Shona Davis said the AFP worked closely with state and Commonwealth partners to protect children and identify anyone involved in their exploitation or harm.
“Anyone viewing or possessing this material is committing a crime,” Insp Davis said.
“Our message to offenders does not waiver – you will be identified and prosecuted if involved with child abuse material.
“Our investigators work tirelessly to identify offenders and protect children wherever they live.”
ABF Acting Superintendent Dean Simpson said ABF officers played a crucial role at the border stopping criminals involved in the creation and circulation of child abuse.
“We have seen many instances where detection by ABF officers of child abuse material on passengers at international airports has enabled our law enforcement partners to find and remove children being abused and exploited,” a/Supt Simpson said.
“We hope this sends a message to those engaged in this vile industry - there is nowhere to hide and you will face the full force of the law.”
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.
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.
