Police are warning young people of the risks of sharing intimate images, following the discovery of an online group sharing explicit photos of Wimmera youngsters.
It is an offence to produce, distribute, or threaten to produce or distribute intimate images or videos of another person without their consent.
Sharing an intimate or explicit picture or video is known as ‘sexting’, and can result in jail time.
If the person in the image is aged under 18, offenders can be registered as a sex offender, severely restricting opportunities in their life.
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Detective Senior Sergeant Kat Mauger, of Horsham police, said police wanted to make it clear that sharing an explicit image or video of anybody without their consent was a crime.
“If you receive an intimate photo of a person under 18, even storing it on your phone can amount to possessing child abuse material,” she said.
“Being charged with these offences can lead to a prison sentence, and it’s something that police take very seriously.
“Those who choose to engage in this kind of reprehensible behaviour will be held to account for their actions.”
Senior Sgt Mauger said police were urging young people to be aware of the risks of sharing intimate images of themselves and to speak up if they were shared without their consent.
“We encourage everyone to talk to someone they trust, whether it be a parent, school teacher or police, and remind people of the online forums available for reporting such as Report Cyber and the eSafety Commissioner, which can assess their reports and provide them to police,” she said.
“Even if people don’t want to make a formal report, police can still assist in seeking further support services and just know that everyone who contacts police will be supported and treated with respect, courtesy and dignity.”
Senior Sgt Mauger said people could find more information on the eSafety Commissioner website.
“There is some really valuable information on there in relation to how to contact or how best to deal with social media websites and in removing any images that might be out there,” she said.
Social media ban
The police’s warning comes as a national social media ban for people aged under 16 comes into force on December 10.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians aged under 16 from creating or keeping an account.
The Federal Government-imposed social media restrictions aim to protect young Australians from pressures and risks that users can be exposed to while using social media accounts.
The changes aim to protect young people from spending more time on screens, and limit exposure to content that can harm their health and wellbeing.
Age restrictions will apply to social media platforms that meet three specific conditions, unless they are excluded based on criteria set in out in legislative rules made by the Communications Minister in July.
The conditions for age restriction are: the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of the service is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users; the service allows end-users to link to, or interact with, some or all of the other end-users; and, the service allows end-users to post material on the service.
Online gaming and standalone messaging apps are among a number of types of services that have been excluded under the legislative rules. Senior Sgt Mauger said the bans were in place to try and keep young people safe, with more information available online.
“But of course, if you have any questions or concerns about anything that’s happening to you, you’re more than welcome to reach out to police and we can provide guidance and support in that space,” she said.
“If you are a parent or a caregiver of a young person, it’s really important to create an environment where they feel they can come to you and be supported appropriately.
“Encourage those open lines of communication to make sure that if something doesn’t feel right to your child or they’re in a situation where they are uncomfortable, they can come forward and get the help that they need.”
