News Centre

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

Editor’s note: Vison and images available via Hightail

During its decade-long efforts to detect and stamp out hideous online child sexual exploitation committed by South Australian offenders, a small and dedicated taskforce of AFP and South Australia Police investigators have protected more than 370 children around the world from further abuse.

The South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET) was formed in 2015 to provide a more coordinated investigative response and achieve the best possible outcomes for vulnerable young people in Australia and overseas.

In the decade since SA JACET was established, more than 370 child victims, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, from countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, United States and Southeast Asia, have been identified and removed from further harm.

During this time, SA JACET received 677 referrals from national and international law enforcement agencies relating to alleged South Australian-based offenders, resulting in the arrest of 654 people locally.

So far this financial year (2024-25)*, SA JACET investigations have resulted in the removal of 14 children from harm in Australia and overseas, and the charging of 49 men and women in South Australia for their alleged involvement in the online sexual exploitation or abuse of children.

AFP Detective Acting Sergeant Stephen Hegarty, from SA JACET, said there was no greater reward than being part of a resilient and dedicated team focused on protecting the youngest, and often most vulnerable, members of the community.

“As an original member of the SA JACET, I can say that repeatedly viewing videos and images of children being exploited, abused or tortured is tough – but it does not compare to the trauma that child victims endure,” Det a/Sgt Hegarty said.

“The team’s common goal is to make a difference in children’s lives – ensure victims are identified and removed from further harm and protect other children from having their innocence stolen.

“Our team can spend weeks, months, or even years, investigating just one of these evil and horrendous crimes and sadly, are often investigating several matters at once.

“Identifying suspects can require extensive intelligence gathering and investigative techniques, including using the execution of search warrants to gather evidence, and forensic examination of equipment and images.

“It’s also important to remember an investigation does not end with an arrest.

“Police will continue to review seized images and videos to try to identify child victims, prepare evidence for the judicial process, investigate possible other offending, and provide referrals to other local and international agencies if required.

“JACET investigators are relentless, and we never give up trying to combat this crime type.”

Detective a/Sgt Hegarty said the co-location of the AFP and South Australian investigators provided significant opportunity to quickly and efficiently share jurisdiction-specific intelligence.

“JACET teams are in most Australian states and territories, and complement the efforts of the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE),” Det a/Sgt Hegarty said.

“With the AFP’s involvement, JACET can also reach into our broad international network.”

South Australia Police Acting Assistant Commissioner, Crime Service, Catherine Hilliard commended the hard work of SAPOL and AFP investigators over the past 10 years.

“Child protection will always be a key priority for South Australia Police, and we will continue working with partner agencies to keep children safe and remove them from harm,” she said.

“We also work with other agencies across the world to identify and bring those involved in child exploitation to justice.

“Our hardworking investigators often spend their days examining confronting material, but seeing the results over the past 10 years of JACET provides further motivation to overcome obstacles and persist in our quest to detect and apprehend child sex offenders.

“SA JACET will continue to pursue child sex offenders wherever they may hide.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner Hilliard urged parents to discuss online safety with their children.

“As a community it’s important to be aware of the risks and warning signs in children to prevent their exploitation online,” she added.

“This may include changes in behaviour, secrecy around devices, changing passcodes and isolating themselves in their rooms.

“Be approachable, have open conversations with your children, and know educational resources are available to assist in these vital conversations.”

*Figures from the period 1 July, 2024 to 1 May, 2025.