A man has been charged with more than 30 offences relating to the alleged grooming of children online following the closure of Operation Yapton in Woorabinda, near Rockhampton.
Investigators from the Woorabinda Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) concluded the four-month operation this week, targeting people involved in the online grooming of children as well as the possession and distribution of Child Exploitation Material (CEM).
As a result, a 21-year-old Woorabinda man was charged with 34 offences including possessing child exploitation material, grooming, distributing CEM and using a carriage service to access child abuse material.
It will be alleged the man contacted multiple young female children, including one as young as 10-years-old, via social media and engaged with them inappropriately.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Rockhampton Magistrates Court on November 17.
Acting Sergeant Jordan Singleton said detectives from Woorabinda were grateful for the assistance provided by the local community in reporting these types of offences.
“Due to the distressing nature of these offences, it is not often spoken of in society,” Acting Sergeant Singleton said.
“By being informed, having open discussions and reporting concerns to police in relation to online child exploitation the community can assist in the protection of children, victim support and making it more difficult for offenders to hide.”
If you wish to report any information relating to online child abuse, please contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or speak with local police.
For further information relating to online child sexual exploitation and to learn about strategies to safeguard children and to report abuse, please visit the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation .
