Indigenous translators and illustrators in the Northern Territory have worked with the Australian Federal Police to create two picture books on online child safety. The books are written in Western Arrarnta and Old Tiwi. Translator Maxine Malbunka says children in her community have encountered unsafe people online. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received more than 100,000 reports of online child sexual exploitation in the past financial year, a 21 per cent rise. Digital versions of the books are available on the centre's website.
Four men have been arrested and charged with a combined 57 child exploitation offences after co-ordinated searches across Brisbane and far north Queensland. Police allege one man was caught downloading disturbing material. Detective Acting Inspector Les Lucas urged caregivers to regularly talk with children about their online activity. He said children should know they can turn to a trusted adult if they feel unsafe. Three men were remanded in custody, and a fourth was bailed to appear before a court in December.
WA Police have raised concerns for the welfare of Simon David Lince, 40, who was last seen in Rockingham on Thursday. Police are urging anyone who sees him to contact them immediately. Mr Lince failed to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on charges stemming from an Australian Federal Police investigation into alleged sexual conversations with someone believed to be a 12-year-old girl. He had been arrested at a Cooloongup home in October and released on conditional bail. A warrant has since been issued for his arrest, and State Emergency Service personnel are assisting in searching the area.
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More than one in three Australian children who are sexually victimised online either tell no-one or turn to an AI chatbot, according to a study by Adelaide University. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned that law enforcement cannot be the only safety net for vulnerable young people. Barrett called the trend heartbreaking and said automated software cannot provide the human support children need. She said parents and communities are best placed to notice when a child begins to withdraw.
