Editor's note: The names of the two accused have been removed from this story after a suppression order to prevent the online identity of the woman was handed down in Albury Local Court on October 5, 2021
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THE need to continue to protect children from sexual abuse has been stressed by the Australian Federal Police in the wake of 66 charges being laid against a Riverina man and woman.
The force on Sunday issued a media release to mark the start of National Child Protection Week which outlined allegations against the Finley pair who will reappear in Albury Court on September 28.
Federal officer Detective Sergeant Jarryd Dunbar said the investigation had seen 19 children taken out of allegedly dangerous circumstances.
"Child sexual abuse is an insidious crime and the breach of trust allegedly committed by the adults, who should be protecting them from these offences, is repugnant and concerning," he said.
"We will continue to support the children allegedly targeted by the pair.
"I also want to thank their parents, who have worked with the AFP during a very traumatic time."
Sergeant Dunbar said while it may be shocking to have a woman charged with child abuse counts it showed there was not a single type of offender.
"There is no one profile of a child sex offender," he said.
"They are men, women; and of all ages and professions.
"The best form of protection for our kids is knowing where they are, who they are engaging with online and in the real world, and knowing what really happens under someone's roof.
"When children sleepover at another person's house, we encourage parents to ask who else will be in the home, and to talk to their children about their sleepover when they come home."
Some of the children were residents who lived in the alleged female offender's home and others came there for sleepovers.
It is alleged the man asked the woman to provide him with child exploitation material of one the girls who lived in her home.
