A WEBSITE that traded in stolen nude images, which included a Horsham student as one of its victims, has re-merged online.
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The site was investigated by Australian Federal Police and the Children’s Safety Commissioner after media reports that the site’s users were posting images without the subjects’ consent.
Some of the images reportedly featured underage people and their publication under any circumstances could have been a criminal offence.
Horsham teenager Lily Dalton, 18, spoke out this month after personal images taken during a previous relationship appeared on the site.
Lily said the experience was confronting and violating.
The website’s users asked each other for images of women and young girls from their own region, and about 70 schools across Australia were targeted.
The website was taken down soon almost two weeks ago after it reached national attention, but at the time it was unclear if Australian authorities were responsible.
Federal and state police forces, including Victoria Police, said on Monday afternoon that the site had reappeared.
“It has come to the awareness of law enforcement agencies that a website encouraging users to upload explicit images of young women has re-emerged online,” the statement said.
“The Australian Federal Police is continuing to work with state and territory police forces, and relevant government agencies, including the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner, as well as international law enforcement partners to evaluate this offshore website and determine the appropriate course of action.
“Websites hosted overseas create jurisdictional difficulties and investigations of this nature are complex.”
The joint police statement urged victims of the website to come forward to authorities.
“Australian law enforcement agencies are committed to following all avenues of enquiry and should offences within Australia be identified, action will be taken,” the statement said.
“It is critical for parents, caregivers and teachers to talk to their children about the importance of respectful relationships, both on and offline.
“Many children and young people are unaware of the legal and ethical consequences of sexting.”