Northern Territory Police have charged a 72-year-old Marakai man with allegedly transmitting and possessing child abuse material as well as grooming-related offences.
The man was arrested by Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (NT JACET) detectives last night after police executed a search warrant at a Marakai home, following an investigation by the Covert Online Engagement Unit from the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
Police will allege the man transmitted, possessed and attempted to gain access to child abuse material online and was also allegedly attempting to groom a teenage girl online.
The man appeared in Darwin Magistrates Court today to face multiple child abuse charges. He was remanded in custody to reappear on October 5..
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Child Protection Operations, Tim Puchala said it was important for parents and carers to be aware of the dangers that young people face online, and to speak to their children about those risks.
“It is so important to ensure there is ongoing communication between you and your children, so they know they can approach you if something goes wrong,” Det A/Supt Puchala said.
“These sorts of behaviours are completely reprehensible. This investigation shows the importance of multi-agency operations working together to identify and apprehend those in our community who pose a serious risk to the safety of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Northern Territory Police Force Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson.
“The Northern Territory JACET will continue to work tirelessly with national and international partners to keep the most vulnerable in our community safe,” he said.
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 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protection children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
