Media Release
Perth man charged with possessing child abuse material
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
A Baldivis man is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (6 December, 2024) charged with possessing about one hour's worth of child exploitation videos on his phone.
The AFP investigation began in November 2024 after the man, 24, arrived at Perth International Airport following a holiday in the Philippines.
The man and his luggage were the subject of an examination by Australian Border Force officers, who allegedly detected 21 videos containing child abuse material on the man’s phone.
AFP investigators subsequently arrested the man, who was conveyed to Perth Watch House before receiving police bail.
The man was charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material, contrary to section 220 of the Criminal Code Act 1913 (WA). The maximum penalty for the offence is seven years’ imprisonment.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Andrea Coleman said the AFP worked tirelessly with its law enforcement partners to protect children and bring alleged perpetrators before the courts.
“Images of child abuse cause significant harm to victims when it is produced, and these victims effectively suffer each time images or videos of their abuse is viewed or downloaded,” Det a/Supt Coleman said.
“To those who wish to prop up this vile industry for their own gratification – the AFP and its partners will find you, and you will face the full force of the law.”
ABF Acting Superintendent John Sweet said protecting the most vulnerable members of the community would always be a priority of the ABF.
“Officers use a combination of intelligence, intuition and profile techniques to target travellers who might be importing child abuse material on electronic devices, and act decisively when it is detected,” Supt Sweet said.
“It is abhorrent that this kind of material exists, but the work of our highly skilled officers is critical to stop its prevalence in our community.”
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.
