Child Pornography Offences Reminder: Law, Punishments & How to Report

Tue, 2021-01-19

Members of the public are reminded that any sexual images of individuals who are under the age of consent, are classified as child abusive images or what is commonly known as, child pornography.

Anyone in possession of such videos or images or who forwards them on in any format, is committing offenses under the criminal code.

The Criminal Code Amendment Act 2007 states any person who: knowingly distributes transmits, makes available, imports, exports child abusive material or child pornography is guilty of an offence.

The Criminal Code Amendment Act 2007 also states any person who: possesses child abusive material or sexual exploitive images for the purpose of making it available to, showing it to, or for viewing by other persons, is guilty of an offence.

Persons found guilty of this offence could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and 5 years upon Summary conviction.

Should you receive such images, do not share them. Instead, contact 211, the main police number 295-0011, or, the Vulnerable Persons Unit on 247-1678 to make a report and delete the images from your phone or other electronic device.