Media Release
WA man facing additional charges over alleged online child abuse
This is a joint release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police Force
A Butler man will face additional charges for alleged online child abuse and bestiality offences when he appears in Perth Magistrates Court today (20 June, 2025) after the AFP examined his electronic devices.
The Western Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET), which comprises AFP and Western Australia Police Force officers, initially charged the man, 35, with three online child abuse offences and he first appeared in court in March, 2025.
Following further investigations and examination of a computer and mobile phone seized from the man, police have summonsed him for an additional five offences. He will face a total of eight charges when he appears in court again today (20 June, 2025).
Inquiries began when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received information as part of an investigation into people allegedly transmitting child abuse material online.
WA JACET allegedly linked the man to the illegal activity and executed a search warrant and arrested the man at his home on 25 March, 2025. Investigators located five devices, including mobile phones and computers, which allegedly contained videos of child abuse material.
Following investigations, the AFP will prosecute the man for the following offences:
- Three counts of possessing child abuse material accessed or obtained using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment;
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment;
- One count of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment;
- Two counts of possessing objectionable material (bestiality), contrary to section 101(1)(b) of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1996 (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is 18 months’ imprisonment or a $15,000 fine; and;
- One count of transmitting objectionable material (bestiality), contrary to section 101(1)(b) of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1996 (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is 18 months’ imprisonment or a $15,000 fine.
If you have information that could help law enforcement, report it to the Australia Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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.
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 online child sexual exploitation is, 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.
