Geelong raid shuts down alleged child exploitation online game

The 31-year-old Geelong man was arrested by Victoria's Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) on August 2 after police became aware of the game in May.

The investigation remains ongoing with police searching for "a number of people across Australia and internationally" who allegedly had paid subscriptions to the game.

Police said this is the first time an investigation has focused on a Victorian-based platform of this nature.

"For someone to create this kind of platform and treat this crime theme as a game, is completely horrifying, especially when that person is essentially in our own backyard," Victoria Police Commander Paul O'Halloran said.

Police said the game was comprised entirely of animated images.

"While the material on the platform does not involve live children, it has been created to mimic that and this is clearly of great concern to us," Commander O'Halloran said.

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AFP Commander Helen Schneider said "simulated offending against our community's most vulnerable - our children - is a criminal offence and the AFP will relentlessly pursue anyone involved in providing an online platform for predators to engage in this vile offending," Commander Schneider said.

The eSafety Commissioner is working with police to remove the game.

High-end televisions and audio-visual equipment, two cars, furniture and appliances were seized during the arrests as alleged proceed of crime.

The Geelong man was charged with controlling, producing and possessing child abuse material and dealing with proceeds of crime.

He faced Geelong Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear again on December 5.

Help is available:

Anyone with information about people involved in child abuse is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au

If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on triple zero (000).

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available via the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit www.accce.gov.au.