A Hebersham man, 40, is due to face Mount Druitt Local Court today (17 August, 2022) charged with multiple child abuse and bestiality offences.
The investigation into the man began in April, 2022 after the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) received a report from the US ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a user uploading child abuse material to a Google platform.
AFP Eastern Command Child Protection investigators yesterday (16 August, 2022) executed a search warrant at the man’s home and seized a mobile phone.
A preliminary review of the device revealed files allegedly containing child abuse material, highly explicit conversations about abusing children, and bestiality material, which police will allege was produced by the man.
The phone will be subject to further forensic examination.
In light of the alleged offences, 19 dogs kept in cruel conditions were removed from the property with the assistance of investigators from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New South Wales (RSPCA NSW).
Detective Sergeant Navi Pandher said this arrest is another reminder of the widespread presence of online child abuse.
“The AFP and its partners will continue to stay a step ahead of this vile industry to ensure those preying on children face the full force of the law,” D-Sgt Pandher said.
Parents, caregivers and the community are the first line of defence when it comes to protecting children. The AFP’s online child safety education program, , has resources and advice for parents and carers to learn more about preventing online child sexual exploitation.
The man was charged with multiple offences:
- Two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Three counts of using a carriage service to transmit, make available, publish, distribute or promote child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- One count of engaging in an act of bestiality, contrary to section 79 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
The maximum penalty for each of these offences is 15, 15 and 14 years’ imprisonment respectively.
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 and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or . If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety.
An award-winning podcast launched last year by the ACCCE ‘Closing The Net’ is working to change that, showcasing that knowledge is power and that our only chance to help prevent this issue is if we bring a ‘whole-of-community’ response.
The podcast series offers valuable tips and advice on how to keep kids safe online. Listen to the podcast on your favourite streaming platform.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available at .
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at , an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
