Over the past ten years, a combined taskforce of Australian Federal Police (AFP) and South Australia Police (SAPOL) dedicated to combating child exploitation, known as the South Australian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), has been instrumental in rescuing over 370 children from around the globe. These children, ranging from toddlers to teens, were identified through investigations into South Australian offenders engaging in online child sexual exploitation.
Since SA JACET’s inception in 2015, it has delivered significant impacts in protecting vulnerable children. The team has received 677 referrals from national and international agencies, leading to the apprehension of 654 individuals. This financial year alone, 14 children have been rescued, and 49 men and women have been charged.
AFP Detective Acting Sergeant Stephen Hegarty, an original member of SA JACET, described the investigative process as arduous but crucial. “As an original member of the SA JACET, I can say that repeatedly viewing videos and images of children being exploited, abused or tortured is tough – but it does not compare to the trauma that child victims endure.”
“The team’s common goal is to make a difference in children’s lives – ensure victims are identified and removed from further harm and protect other children from having their innocence stolen.
“Our team can spend weeks, months, or even years investigating just one of these evil and horrendous crimes and sadly, are often investigating several matters at once.
“Identifying suspects can require extensive intelligence gathering and investigative techniques, including using the execution of search warrants to gather evidence, and forensic examination of equipment and images.
“It’s also important to remember an investigation does not end with an arrest.
“Police will continue to review seized images and videos to try to identify child victims, prepare evidence for the judicial process, investigate possible other offending, and provide referrals to other local and international agencies if required.
“JACET investigators are relentless, and we never give up trying to combat this crime type.”
Acting Sergeant Hegarty said the co-location of the AFP and South Australian investigators provided significant opportunity to quickly and efficiently share jurisdiction-specific intelligence.
“JACET teams are in most Australian states and territories, and complement the efforts of the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE),” a/Sgt Hegarty said.
“With the AFP’s involvement, JACET can also reach into our broad international network.”
South Australia Police Acting Assistant Commissioner, Crime Service, Catherine Hilliard commended the hard work of SAPOL and AFP investigators over the past 10 years.
“Child protection will always be a key priority for South Australia Police, and we will continue working with partner agencies to keep children safe and remove them from harm,” she said.
“We also work with other agencies across the world to identify and bring those involved in child exploitation to justice.
“Our hardworking investigators often spend their days examining confronting material, but seeing the results over the past 10 years of JACET provides further motivation to overcome obstacles and persist in our quest to detect and apprehend child sex offenders.
“SA JACET will continue to pursue child sex offenders wherever they may hide.”
Hilliard advised parents to be vigilant about their children’s online activities. She recommended open discussions with children about online safety and being observant for any unusual behaviours or secrecy surrounding the use of devices.
“As a community it’s important to be aware of the risks and warning signs in children to prevent their exploitation online,” Hilliard said.
“This may include changes in behaviour, secrecy around devices, changing passcodes and isolating themselves in their rooms.
“Be approachable, have open conversations with your children, and know educational resources are available to assist in these vital conversations.”
Highlighting significant legal actions, in June 2024, a South Australian was sentenced to 23 years in prison under new mandatory sentencing laws for obtaining explicit materials from minors overseas. This marked a landmark conviction in South Australia.
The Criminal Asset Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) has also made strides in seizing properties of convicted offenders. Notable actions include the 2020 confiscation of a home in Adelaide, where the owner was involved in orchestrating child abuse online. More recently, in April 2025, the Victorian Court ordered a Geelong man to relinquish over $850,000 generated from child exploitation activities.
As SA JACET moves forward, the taskforce remains committed to its pioneering role in safeguarding children, both nationally and internationally, from exploitation and abuse. The joint efforts of AFP and SAPOL continue to serve as a critical element in the ongoing battle against child sexual offences.
Top tips for parents and carers
- Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with and what platforms, apps or games they are using.
- Have open conversations, often. Talk to your children often about their online activities.
- Check privacy settings. We recommend parents and carers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
- Encourage your child to recognise safe or unsafe situations and inappropriate contact. This can empower them to make informed decisions, including when they’re unsupervised.
- Advise children not to share personal information with any ‘friends’ they have only met online.
- Be approachable if your child needs help. Coming forward isn’t always easy, and children may feel reluctant to tell you about online issues if they believe they will be punished or have their devices taken away.
- Know how to make a report. It’s important immediate action is taken if your child is in danger of online sexual abuse. If something goes wrong online, it is critical your child is supported. Parents and carers need to know how to act.
What are the warning signs a child may be groomed online?
Common online grooming behaviour to look out for includes:
- Unsolicited friend requests;
- An online user asking children personal questions;
- Promising something in exchange for self-generated child abuse material; or
- Fake social media accounts.
How can a report be made to the ACCCE or law enforcement?
- If parents or carers believe a child is being groomed, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible before the content is removed. This will assist police in their investigation.
- This evidence includes:
- Screenshots or photos of conversations. However, do not screenshot, save, share or distribute any explicit images of the underage person as this is an offence.
- Recorded social media details, including account profile and username profiles.
- Webpage addresses (URLs).
- Dates and times of when the online grooming occurred.
- Any other information you have about the interaction or the potential offender.
- Block or delete. It’s important to capture this information before blocking or deleting the user or you may lose important evidence.
- Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report through the ACCCE website, https://www.accce.gov.au/report.
- If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
- The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button.
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