2LT Local News

Editor’s Note: Vision of the arrest is available via hightail

A 28-year-old Western Sydney man is scheduled to appear in Penrith Local Court today (Friday, 21 May 2021) charged by the Australian Federal Police for allegedly possessing child abuse material.

The investigation into an online user allegedly uploading child abuse material online began in November 2020. It followed a report from the U.S. National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).

AFP officers identified the online user as a 28-year-old man residing in Werrington, NSW.

Child Protection investigators and digital forensic specialists executed a search warrant at the man’s residence in Werrington on 25 March 2021, where three mobile phones, an iPad, USB, hard drive and computer were seized.

Police examined the seized items and allegedly identified child abuse material on multiple electronic devices.

The man was subsequently arrested and charged with five counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessing using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years’ imprisonment.

The man was granted bail to next appear in Penrith Local Court on Friday, 21 May 2021.

AFP Eastern Command Acting Sergeant Ryan Henderson said there is a real child being abused in the images uploaded and shared online.

“Your actions are not harmless, every child who appears in this type of material is re-victimised, re-traumatised and relives the abuse. You as the consumer are inescapably connected to the sexual abuse of children and contribute to the furtherance of this abuse,” Acting Sergeant Henderson said.

“We are dedicated and unrelenting in our efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute those who consume this material. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but one day we will come knocking on your door”.

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button.

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.

Media enquiries

AFP National Media: (02) 5126 9297