Australia's child abuse crisis is worsening, with online exploitation rising rapidly and law enforcement struggling to keep pace.

Federal police in Australia warn child sexual abuse, both online and physical, is worsening, with law enforcement consistently outpaced by rapidly advancing technology used by offenders. Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney told a Senate inquiry that online exploitation is escalating, requiring a national response, as the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received an average of 226 reports daily—up from 58,000 the prior year. High-profile cases include childcare workers Ashley Paul Griffith and Joshua Dale Brown, charged with multiple offences, and former child protection worker Shannon McCoole, linked to a global Dark Web child pornography network. Authorities cite outdated laws and privacy restrictions as major obstacles. In response, police are partnering with platforms like Snapchat and influencers to deliver prevention messages, especially targeting young boys vulnerable to grooming and sextortion, stressing the need for global cooperation to combat a borderless crime. The inquiry continues.