Australian police commissioners last year identified Internet-related crimes, including the distribution and production of child pornography, as one of the greatest challenges facing law enforcement. International police have discovered two major child pornography rings, the Wonderland and Orchid Clubs, which have operated around the world. The Wonderland Club was found to be operating in Australia, the US, Britain, Germany, Italy, Norway, Belgium, Finland, Austria, France, Sweden and Portugal. In 1997 the National Crime Authority reported there were 5000 paedophiles identified in Australia, and warned they were increasingly using computer technology to communicate. The Internet has enabled people interested in child pornography to connect without ever meeting.
Police say the networks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to uncover.
The global nature of the networks creates a jurisdictional nightmare for police. Investigators from Victoria have no power to chase a South American film producer, or a German Web-page designer who may be involved in the child porn industry. The Age Company Ltd 2001. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.