Source : Perth Now news
Parents are being urged to discuss online safety after the arrest of four men over dozens of child exploitation offences, with one allegedly caught while downloading disturbing material.
Investigators from federal and state agencies conducted several co-ordinated searches across Brisbane and far north Queensland between Monday and Wednesday, charging the quartet with a combined 57 offences.
Police hope the operation will remind parents to discuss internet safety around the dinner table.
“The exploitation of children is one of the most abhorrent crimes we investigate, causing significant and lasting trauma to victims,” Detective Acting Inspector Les Lucas said.
“These arrests serve as a reminder of the dangers children can face online … caregivers should regularly speak with their children about their online activity and ensure they know they can turn to a trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right or they feel unsafe.”
Officers first raided a home in Herberton, near Cairns, on Monday where they allegedly found a 57-year-old man attempting to activate an encryption system.
He was charged with eight offences relating to the possession of child exploitation material and using a carriage service to access and share abuse material.
On Tuesday, officers searched devices at a home in nearby East Barron and alleged a 55-year-old man was making child exploitation material and soliciting abuse material from other online users. He was hit with eight similar charges.
Investigators in Brisbane then searched the home of another 55-year-old man, who allegedly distributed and solicited indecent material online over a recent two-week period.
Police allege he was actively downloading child sexual abuse material as they raided the Greenslopes home.
Device seizures allegedly turned up evidence of grooming of a minor, child abuse material, and the use of a carriage service to access and share materials.
He was charged with 33 exploitation and child sexual abuse material offences and four drug and weapon related offences.
On Wednesday, police executed their final warrant at Innisfail, near Cairns.
They allege a 21-year-old man engaged in sexually explicit communication with children on online apps and accessed and distributed child exploitation material in multiple online conversations.
He was charged with eight offences relating to child exploitation and child sexual abuse material, alongside two charges for drug offences.
The men from Heberton, Greenslopes and Innisfail were remanded in custody to face courts at later dates. The East Barron man was bailed to appear before a court in December.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
