Man 'encouraged girls to self-harm for gratification'

The Australian Federal Police headquarters in Canberra
A Perth man is accused of encouraging young girls to self harm, and making child abuse material. -AAP Image

An Australian man encouraged young girls to self-harm for the online viewer's sexual gratification, police allege.

US investigators tipped off detectives about the Perth 25-year-old, who is also accused of transmitting child abuse material.

"The report allegedly related to the user making child abuse material available online, as well as material that encouraged young girls to self-harm for the viewer's sexual gratification," a Federal Police spokesman said.

AFP and West Australian police executed a search warrant at the man's northern suburbs home earlier in the month and allegedly found child abuse material stored on electronic devices.

He was charged with seven offences, including two counts of possessing child abuse material, accessing child abuse material, three counts of transmitting child abuse material, and transmit child abuse material.

Detective Inspector Andrea Coleman said the AFP was dedicated to combating child sexual abuse and exploitation.

"Our investigators are relentless in their pursuit of anyone who accesses or shares child abuse material because these crimes contribute to the physical harm and exploitation of children," she said.

"Protecting children, wherever they live, is our priority."

The man is scheduled to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday.

The maximum penalty for the offences is 15 years imprisonment.