Monash University academic charged after child abuse material allegedly shown in lecture

A Melbourne academic has been arrested and charged after child abuse images flashed up on a screen during a lecture he was conducting at a city university this year.

Monash University confirmed the 74-year-old man worked there, was suspended immediately and “removed from all teaching duties” following the February incident.

Monash University says it has suspended the academic from all teaching duties.Credit: Wayne Taylor

He was interviewed and police searched the Middle Park man’s home and seized electronic devices on February 12, a week after the images were allegedly aired during a university lecture.

“Monash University was made aware of concerns relating to an incident in February 2025, and referred the matter to Victoria Police. We continue to support the ongoing investigation,” a university spokeswoman said.

The man is no longer employed by the university.

Detectives from the sexual offence and child abuse investigation team also travelled to Sydney and worked with NSW Police to raid another property in the city’s eastern suburbs, where more devices were seized.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the man had been charged with one count of possessing child abuse material as a Commonwealth offence and two counts of possessing child abuse material after the material was displayed during a university lecture in the CBD on February 5.

He is expected to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Police are not searching for anyone else in relation to the investigation.

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