Two men charged with possession of child exploitation material

Two men will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 10 May 2019) charged with possession of child exploitation material.

A 42-year-old AFP officer from Forde and a 42-year-old Adelaide man were charged yesterday (Thursday, 9 May 2019) following an investigation by ACT Policing’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team. 

The men were formally charged with possessing child exploitation material contrary to section 65 of the ACT Crimes Act.

The officer was immediately suspended from duty.

All AFP members are expected to behave at all times in a manner that upholds the organisation’s core values, reputation and integrity.

As this matter is now before the court, no further comment will be made.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child exploitation material are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at http://crimestoppers.com.au.

Note to media:  THIS IS CHILD EXPLOITATION, NOT ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’

Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ actually 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

• it conjures up images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.

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

Media enquiries

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