Financial Crime World

COCOS KEELING ISLANDS: Major Crackdown on Child Exploitation

Australian Federal Police Blocks Access to Almost 1 Million Child Abuse Images and Videos

In a significant effort to combat child exploitation, Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigators have blocked access to almost one million child abuse images and videos hosted on domains associated with the Cocos Keeling Islands. This major crackdown is part of an ongoing investigation that has been underway since 2022.

The Investigation: A Collaborative Effort

The AFP-led investigation was launched after being alerted by the Shire of Cocos Keeling Islands to multiple websites containing child abuse material associated with the Australian territory. Working together with various organizations, including:

  • The office of the eSafety Commissioner
  • The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
  • The top-level domain administrator

officers from the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3) removed access to sites identified as hosting mostly child abuse material.

The Impact: Blocking Access to Child Exploitation Material

Visitors to these sites now see a ’takedown notice’ issued by the AFP, blocking access to previously-hosted child exploitation material. The investigation aims to identify the administrators, contributors, and users of the websites involved.

Key Statistics:

  • Over 1 million child abuse images and videos have been blocked from being accessed.
  • Tens of thousands of attempted visits from around the world have been recorded since disrupting access to the sites on October 10.
  • The investigation has been ongoing since 2022.

The Importance of Reporting Child Exploitation

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized the importance of reporting child sexual exploitation material if encountered online. Australians can report such material using the Report Abuse button on the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation website.

Support Services:

For those impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Conclusion:

The AFP-led investigation is a significant step towards combating child exploitation in Australia. By working together with various organizations and individuals, the goal of keeping children safe from harm can be achieved.

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