Additional charges laid following investigation into child abuse material

The ACT Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) have laid an additional seven charges in relation to the possession of child abuse material following an investigation that commenced in 2022.  

A 66-year-old man previously charged in February 2023, will face court today (Thursday, 23 November 2023) where the additional charges will be laid. 

Following forensic analysis of seized electronic items, an additional seven charges will be laid. These include two counts of access child abuse material, one count of access child pornography material, one count of make available child pornography material, one count of solicit child abuse material, one count of possess child exploitation material, and one count of fail to report as required. 

Anyone with information about the creation, accessing, or distribution of child exploitation material is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously. 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES  

POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070,  act-police-media@afp.gov.au  

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Note to media: USE OF TERM ‘CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL’, NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’   

Use of the phrase “child pornography” 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.   

Each photograph captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not ‘pornography”.