WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT
Australian Border Force officers have stopped large numbers of lifelike child sex dolls from being imported into the country.
The dolls are purchased through international online retailers, like Alibaba, with the listings marketing the dolls as 'young girl', 'flat chest' and 'sex dolls for men'.
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Figures obtained from News Corp show there have been 31 child sex dolls intercepted in the first six months of this year, with a total of 86 in the 12 months to June 30, 2020.
The Australian government introduced new legislation in September last year that made it an offence to possess a childlike sex doll, with the punishment being as long as 15 years behind bars.
In addition to that, it's also an offence to use a carrier service like the internet to send child sex dolls to anyone in Australia. The punishment for that is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $525,000.
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A spokesperson for the Australian Border Force told news.com.au: "Child-like sex dolls and other child abuse material are symptomatic of the broader global threat posed by child sexual abuse, that's why the ABF works with its law enforcement and intelligence partners to further investigate these imports," a spokesman for the agency said.
"ABF officers at our air cargo and mail facilities are actively targeting these dolls, which are a prohibited import and are considered child abuse material.
"The ABF has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse material, including childlike sex dolls, and we use all powers available to us to protect Australians from anyone associated with these sickening activities."
While some people might argue that it's better pedophiles use these dolls than abuse real children, the latest research suggests these items only increase a child sex offenders desire to escalate.
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"Recent research by the Australian Institute of Criminology found...there is no evidence that these dolls have a therapeutic benefit in preventing child sexual abuse," the spokesperson said.
Some of the dolls found online were about the height of a six-month-old baby. The listings were selling the dolls between $250 and $500.
Alibaba has since taken down all the child sex doll listings on its website and has promised to ensure no more ever pop up again. The online retailer will be putting in additional measures to stop child abuse material from being sold.
"We maintain a robust product listing policy that prohibits the listing by third-party sellers of any items depicting or suggestive of sex involving minors, and third-party sellers in breach of the policy are subject to our disciplinary measures," a spokesperson said.
Featured Image Credit: PA