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- WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS DETAILS THAT MAY BE UPSETTING
An Auckland man has been jailed for 28 months for distributing child sexual exploitation material.
The 38-year-old has been imprisoned following an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Team.
He pleaded guilty to nine representative charges of possessing and distributing objectionable material, including images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, as well as acts of bestiality.
The man was sentenced at the Auckland District Court on August 27.
The investigation began when he became a person of interest in an international law enforcement agency operation that the Digital Child Exploitation team was assisting with, which prompted a separate investigation.
Search warrants executed at multiple addresses linked to him led to the seizure of several electronic devices, which contained 6,263 images of sexual exploitation, including the abuse of children as young as 18 months old.
“This material represents the worst moments in a child’s life, captured and shared by offenders,” Digital Child Exploitation Team manager Tim Houston says.
“We are committed to holding those who fuel the demand for this horrific material accountable, preventing the further re-victimisation of children, and ensuring justice is served.
“The Digital Child Exploitation Team is committed to protecting New Zealanders from online harm, including the prevention and detection of child sexual exploitation material.”
As part of the man’s sentence, he’ll be registered as a child sex offender for eight years.
In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm.
Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation filtering system blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material.
Support and resources
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their children about safe online practices.
Guidance on protecting children online is available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
People who have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime can contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA.
For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, phone police on 111.
Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services by contacting: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/child-abuse-directory-information-and-support
Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334
People who are concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual behaviour can contact:
- Safe Network: 09 377 9898
- WellStop: 04 566 4745
- STOP: 03 353 0257
