Cowes man faces extra charge after allegedly being found with child abuse material

The AFP has charged a man with extra offences after child abuse material was allegedly found on his phone. Read the story.

A Cowes man has been charged with possessing child abuse material after child abuse material was allegedly found on his phone.

Victorian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (VIC JACET) investigators first charged the man in May 2021 as a result of an investigation that began with a referral from US Homeland Security Investigations in relation to child abuse material on a social media platform.

A search warrant carried out at the man’s home on May 27, 2021, allegedly uncovered child abuse material on his phone.

He was charged then with possessing, transmitting and causing child abuse material to be transmitted using a carriage service.

Last Wednesday the man was charged with an additional count of possessing child abuse material.

All these charges also contravened the man’s bail.

The 43-year-old man faced Latrobe Valley Magistrates court last Thursday.

Detective Acting Superintendent Jonelle Lancashire said the additional charges demonstrated the commitment of the VIC JACET to ensure anyone involved in the harm of children was brought to justice.

“Anyone who possesses this kind of material has no regard for the suffering of victims of child abuse, which is why the AFP will never stop in our efforts to protect children,” D/A/Supt Lancashire said.

“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you procure, access and transmit child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.”

Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

The man is expected to appear before court again later this year.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available here.