News Centre

This is a joint release between the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police.

A Melbourne man has been sentenced to two years and nine months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 15 months', for child abuse-related offences.

The man, 22, was sentenced by the Melbourne County Court today (19 February, 2025) for 11 offences relating to possessing and transmitting child abuse material, as well as grooming children online for sexual activity.

The Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) arrested him in July, 2023, after investigating a report from a child's mother about an Australian account user soliciting child abuse material on a social media platform.

Police linked the man to the illegal online activity and executed a search warrant at his home on 19 July, 2023, finding child abuse material on a mobile phone.

Officers also located and seized several electronic devices including a mobile phone, tablets and laptops. Further digital forensic analysis of these devices identified hundreds of images containing child abuse material.

Investigators also found evidence the man had engaged in grooming activity with 10 children online and tried to procure self-produced child exploitation material through conversations where he offered to pay for self-produced pictures and videos.

The court heard once images had been sent, the man would then try to coerce and manipulate victims into sending more pictures. Tactics included threats to send previous material to their friends and family. This approach is commonly referred to as 'sextortion'.

The man pleaded guilty on 5 February, 2025, to the following offences:

• Eight counts of causing child abuse material to be transmitted using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(ii) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
• One count of soliciting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(iv) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
• One count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
• One count of possessing child abuse material obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);

AFP Detective Superintendent Bernard Geason urged parents and guardians to be aware of the risks of young people being groomed by coercive individuals online.

"Warning signs children may be engaging in harmful activity online may include increased screen-time on computers or phones, isolating themselves from friends and family, or being secretive about who they are interacting with online," Det Supt Geason said.

"If parents do believe their child could be engaging in harmful activity online, it's important to have a conversation with them to understand the situation and provide appropriate support.

"Whether a child is or has been a victim of sextortion online, please reassure them it's not their fault and report it to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

"This outcome should also act as a warning to those participating in this abhorrent criminality; you will be tracked down and put before the courts.

"We also want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all AFP and Victoria Police officers involved in these investigations.

"These are significantly challenging and confronting crimes to investigate, yet the members' contribution is driven by their commitment to protect the most vulnerable people in our community."

If you think you are a victim, or know of someone who is a victim, of sextortion

• DO stop the chat
• DO take screenshots of the text and profile
• DO block the account and report it to the platform
• DO get support from a trusted friend or family member, or professional support services, and seek mental health support if required. Kids Helpline offers free and confidential sessions with counsellors.
• DO report the crime to the ACCCE
• DON'T send more images or pay as this will lead to more demands
• DON'T respond to demands
• DON'T enter into further communication
• DON'T think you are alone

If you're concerned about your or someone else's safety, dial Triple Zero (000) or contact your local police station.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (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 on 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.