A Canberra grandma, 50, is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing her two-year-old granddaughter and posting it on social media.
The alarm was raised in late January when the Australian Federal Police child protection unit received a tip-off about newly produced child exploitation material being shared online, according to the police.
Local police searched the woman’s southern Canberra home on Sunday and arrested her after she allegedly abused her granddaughter and shared it to TikTok.
She has been charged with aggravated acts of indecency against a child under 10 years, using a child to produce aggravated child exploitation material and using a carriage service for child abuse materials.
She faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday and has been released on bail. She was released under strict conditions, which include not being in the presence of children without supervision, and not having a mobile phone or internet access.
She is expected to return to court later this month.
The woman appeared via video link in the ACT Magistrates Court yesterday, where she was helped by an interpreter.
She became distressed as she was formally charged with three offences, including an act of indecency against a child, using a child to produce child exploitation material and using a carriage service for child abuse material.
Police urge anyone who is a victim of sexual assault or anyone who is aware of intimate images being shared without the victim’s consent to report the behaviour.
A TikTok spokesperson said the platform’s trust and safety team discovered the content and immediately removed it and reported it to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
‘The content was discovered and removed before it had any views,’ the spokesperson said.
‘TikTok also worked closely with the Australian Federal Police, providing them with key information to help them locate the child.
‘TikTok Australia is proud to partner with the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and law enforcement agencies to ensure the ongoing safety and security of our community.’
