26 September 2023

Child exploitation centre opens

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The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) officially opened in Brisbane last Friday (23 October), providing a centralised hub to prevent and disrupt the online sexual exploitation of children.

The Centre, being led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), brings together resources from Government and Commonwealth agencies, law-enforcement, non-Government organisations and other partners in a centralised hub.

Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton said the sexual abuse and exploitation of children had become more global, prevalent and extreme.

“The ACCCE delivers an unprecedented capability not held by any single Agency in Australia, allowing for greater innovation and collaboration to combat these heinous crimes,” Mr Dutton said.

“Technological advances, such as end-to-end encryption, pose significant challenges for law enforcement,” he said.

“The opening of this new facility ensures our specialists have the tools and capabilities needed to protect children in Australia and overseas.”

Mr Dutton said that between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, the ACCCE had received more than 21,000 incoming reports of child exploitation, compared to over 14,000 reports in the previous financial year.

“Last financial year, 134 children were removed from harm thanks to the partnerships of the ACCCE and the efforts of dedicated police officers and specialists,” he said.

“Operation Molto, the latest ACCCE-coordinated operation involving all Australian State and Territory police, targeted offenders sharing some of the most abhorrent child abuse material circulating online.”

Mr Dutton said the Operation resulted in a combined total of 87 offenders charged with 1,266 offences, and 24 children removed from harm.

“I commend the dedication of our specialists who work tirelessly to ensure these crimes have no place in our society,” he said.

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