CAIRNS—A new joint team to combat pedophilia and child sexual exploitation has been launched in Far North Queensland during National Child Protection Week.
The JACETs will complement the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) that is tasked with preventing and stamping out the sexual exploitation of children.
AFP Detective Superintendent ACCCE and Child Protection Operations Paula Hudson said the new team would make Queensland the only Australian state with two geographically separate JACETs, a significant boost for law enforcement agencies working to protect Australian children.
“We know in order to successfully identify, investigate and prosecute child sex offenders, that we must work together,” Hudson said.
“The establishment of the new JACET in Cairns means both agencies have a greater coordinated investigative response in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for children across the entire state,” she said.
Queensland Police welcomed the partnership with the AFP, which will strengthen investigative intelligence capability of state, territory and federal police to prevent the creation, possession, and distribution of child abuse material.
Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said: “QPS is committed to this partnership to ensure child sex offenders are held to account.”
The Centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into child sexual abuse and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
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.
