Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of child abuse
Police have charged nine people with child abuse offences during a two-week police blitz.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) said 15 search warrants had been executed between August 28 and September 11, in Sydney, the Central Coast and Wollongong.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
More than 140 officers were involved in the operation, which saw eight men and one woman charged, all of whom face offences with a maximum penalty of 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment.
One 62-year-old man, from Wyongah, allegedly paid for live online child sexual abuse involving minors offshore on three occasions.
The AFP alleged the man exchanged almost 200 messages and paid an alleged Filipino child trafficker for live-streamed child sexual abuse involving minors.
He allegedly paid the trafficker for three video calls, believed to be live-streamed child sexual abuse, which went for 56 minutes in total.
The man appeared before Wyong Local Court on September 12 and was remanded in custody.
He is scheduled to reappear before the same court on November 7.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
“Perpetrators are indifferent to the harm they cause victims and are only motivated by their abhorrent desires,” AFP Commander Brett James said.
“Our message to online offenders has not changed – if you commit these crimes, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.”
The AFP’s said the blitz followed an increase in reports of child abuse material made to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).
In the 2024-2025 financial year, the ACCCE said it received more than 82,700 reports of child exploitation, a 41 per cent rise from the previous financial year.
Police confirmed none of the nine people charged currently hold employment positions with access to children.
“Law enforcement agencies around Australia have an essential focus on protecting children and work to find and apprehend those who seek to exploit them or contribute to the wider exploitation of children around the world by creating a demand for this abuse material,” James said.
“I am extremely proud of the work of our investigators, as well as our colleagues at NSW Police Force and ABF, who we work together with every day to ultimately protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Stream free on
