Suncorp Stadium partners with AFP to help solve child sex abuse crimes
Never has the big screen at a footy match been more important as crowds at forthcoming footy finals will be asked to help crack child sex abuse cases as part of an Australian-first campaign between the AFP and Suncorp Stadium.
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Footy fans will be called on to help solve child sex abuse crimes, with the big screens at Suncorp Stadium to be used to promote an Australian first cold-case campaign.
Crowds at football finals this month will be shown a QR code on the stadium’s video screens linking spectators to non-explicit images taken from child abuse videos.
It is hoped that by showing the unique items, such as a distinctive rug or bed sheets, that someone may recognise the object, leading detectives to save a child or arrest an offender.
Australian Federal Police Commander Hilda Sirec said the images were from child abuse cases where detectives had exhausted all other leads.
She said in some cases investigators had been trying to find a child victim or offender for more than a decade.
“There are children out there right now that need saving,” she said.
“We’ve got hardworking investigators waiting for these tips so please play a part in helping police can find these children and arrest these perpetrators.”
The video is part of the AFP’s Trace an Object campaign that was launched in March and has helped generate almost 600 tip-offs.
Investigators believe it is the first time a sporting venue has been used to promote child abuse investigations and if successful, the AFP will engage with other venues across the country.
Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham said he was “pleased to be working with the AFP and the NRL” to support police in their efforts.
“We all have a role to play in protecting children,” he said.
In the past 20 years, the production of child sexual abuse has increased dramatically.
“In the early to mid 2000s an offender may have had about 1000 images,” Commander Sirec said.
“Now our investigators unfortunately are seeing images up to 80,000-100,000 images.”
In the past financial year, the AFP have charged 235 people with 2700 child abuse image offences.
Commander Sirec said predators were using the increased online activity during the pandemic to their advantage.
“Child sex predators have used Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns as an advantage to be able to target children who are spending more time online,” she said.
Federal Member for Ryan Julian Simmonds said “every tip is valuable” and may spark a memory that will help save a child or put an offender behind bars.
“These AFP officers are wading through some of the most vile child exploitation material that you can imagine,” he said.
“They are talking to the worst predators form the darkest parts of the dark web to try and protect kids in Australia and around the world from exploitation.
“It’s an incredibly value service they do for Australian families.”
To view the objects visit the ACCCE Trace an Object website.
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