A 41-YEAR-OLD South Bunbury man will face 10 charges in relation to a child sex abuse ring uncovered by WA Police.
Eight WA man have been charged with 503 child abuse offences against a 13-year-old girl, with the girl’s father among the group.
The police officer in charge of her rescue said that it emphasised how their work exposed them to the dark, evil side of human nature.
Detective Superintendent Glenn Feeney told a press conference in Perth on Wednesday the alleged offences were committed when the girl was aged between 11-13 years.
The chief of the Sex Crimes Division said the girl's rescue followed a tip-off from a member of the public in April.
"The investigation escalated rapidly from that point and our first priority was to identify the victim and to ensure her safety," Detective Superintendent Feeney said.
"The girl was rescued from a horrible situation. She is safe and receiving care," he said.
"Physically she is okay, but psychologically, I can't answer, but she will have ongoing help."
Police alleged the offences occurred over a two-year period and said the father organised for the other men to meet her at various locations where the offences were committed.
The alleged offenders, aged between 35-47 years came from a wide range of WA towns and suburbs including Attadale, Wanneroo, Wembley, Coodanup, South Bunbury, Banksia Grove and Bedfordale.
Detective Superintendent Feeney confirmed the charges included:
- sexual penetration of a child under 13 years
- indecent dealings with a child under 13 years
- indecent recording of a child under 13 years
- distributing child exploitation material
- stupefying with intent to commit an indictable offence
- sexual servitude of a child.
Computer storage equipment was also seized as part of the investigation and is being analysed by police experts.
"To give an idea of the scope, one of these storage devices contained 200,000 videos and four million photos," Detective Superintendent Feeney said. Some 150 of those were of the 13-year-old victim.
The Sex Crime chief said child exploitation was a worldwide tragedy and that his team would be working with other global agencies on the seized material.
The investigation is ongoing.
One man has been charged with 228 offences and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on August 19.
A 42-year-old Attadale man has been charged with 61 offences and is due in the Perth Magistrates Court on August 17.
A 35 year old Wanneroo man has been charged with 163 offences and will appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on August 19.
A 45-year-old Wembley man faces four charges and is due in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday.
A 47-year-old Coodanup man has been charged with 10 offences and will appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on August 4.
A 41-year-old South Bunbury man faces 10 charges and will appear in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on August 28.
A 41-year-old Banksia Grove man has been charged with 12 offences and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on August 28.
A 47-year-old Bedfordale man has been charged with 15 offences and is due in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Wednesday.