Aussie police nab 20 men in statewide online child abuse material crackdown

SYDNEY, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Twenty men have been arrested across Australia's Victoria state during a major crackdown on online child abuse material, police said on Wednesday.

The operation was designed to identify and apprehend people involved in accessing, downloading and distributing child abuse material via peer-to-peer online distribution channels, according to a statement from the police.

The police also conducted checks to see if any children were at risk or identified as sexual abuse victims under those arrested or the properties raided during the operation.

The suspects, which include a 19-year-old and a 62-year-old, were nabbed across several days in March, said police. They face charges such as possessing and distributing child exploitation material.

Items seized included computers, mobile phones, child sex dolls, illegal fireworks, a samurai sword and cannabis drugs. Offences for the possession, distribution and access of child abuse carry penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment in Victoria.

"Child exploitation images and online child sexual offences are some of the fastest growing crimes across the world," said Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton.

"This is fuelled by rapidly advancing technology and new social media platforms where the ability for offenders to create, share and consume this material grows every day."

"Offenders are actively taking steps to ensure they are not caught and police need to be able to keep up." Enditem