AFP urges public to help solve child abuse cold cases with new images

Never-before-seen pictures of bedrooms, clothing and household items could hold the key to solving years-old child abuse cases — and police are pleading for your help.

Exclusive: Police have released never-before-seen pictures from seven child sex abuse cold cases in the hope everyday Australians can help track down the victims.

Under the initiative Trace an Object, the new images featuring the backgrounds of locations where children have been abused, or an item belonging to a victim, have been published by the Australian Federal Police. Three additional images are being re-released.

The children and any graphic material have been deleted from the pictures.

One case is believed to go back to 2002, with investigators at the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation pledging to never stop looking for the victim.

This is how investigators believe a Queensland bedroom looked in 2009. Investigators merged images together to recreate it. There’s a cane chair alongside the single bedframes and floral-patterned quilt cover. Can a friend or family member recognise this fairly uncommon combination? Picture: Supplied

Among the new pictures released are images showing a pair of framed footy shirts, a halter style handmade dress, an anklet, a distinctive bedhead and bedroom, two beds with floral quilts, a playmat and a kitchen scene.

The image of this dress has been heavily redacted to protect the victim, but it is believed to be handmade or bought at a community market, rather than mass produced. Do any dressmakers or market sellers recognise this fabric? Picture: Supplied

It is thought a girl wearing this anklet was abused in 2014 or 2015. The woman is most likely in her early 20s, and could be recognisable to the victim’s friends or family. Picture: Supplied

Investigators believe tradies, real estate agents, cleaners - who frequently visit strangers’ homes - could help solve these cases.

Victim Identification team leader, Detective Sergeant Lana Carey, said investigators have spent thousands of hours looking at these images and have exhausted all avenues.

But just one small detail from a member of the public could help solve a case.

This image from about 2014 or 2015 is of two local club sporting jerseys – one marked with the number 8 and the other with the number 11. They relate to a local football club. Has anyone seen these two jerseys framed together. Perhaps a picture framer? Picture: Supplied

She is confident someone will identify the framed football jerseys with the numbers 8 and 11, which was in the background of some child abuse material.

“So what we’re hoping is that somebody might recognise the significance of those two numbers being placed next to each other,” Det Sgt Carey said.

“So we’re reaching out to sporting clubs, picture framers, anybody who might be able to provide an additional piece of intelligence.”

At first glance, this looks like an average kitchen or kitchenette. Investigators know the brands of items, but does a tiler, builder, real estate agent or cleaner recognise the way the kitchen is laid out; that brand of tile or appliance next to the windows. Picture: Supplied

Victim Identification team leader, Detective Sergeant Lana Carey, says investigators have spent thousands of hours looking at these images. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The kitchen scene shows a Telstra modem, which helps date it, but investigators want the public to concentrate on the layout of the room in relation to the tiles and the windows. They hope a real estate agent, builder, or potential new owner, may hold the key to unlocking the mystery.

AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, Helen Schneider, said everyday Aussies “might just hold that key, that clue, that tiny bit of information that could make the hugest difference to someone’s life”.

This bedroom scene is from about 2015. The type of playmat has been identified, but does anyone recognise it alongside this yellow patterned carpet? Picture: Supplied

Police are releasing a series of pictures in the hope everyday Australians will help them find the victims of six cold case sex abuse crimes. Under the initiative Trace an Object, a number of images featuring the background of where horrific abuse has taken place, some believed to be decades old, have been published.

She said in some cases the victims are now adults, but they still should be offered support.

“Also, it’s fair to say that someone who might have abused a child might still be abusing children today,” Comm Schneider said.

This radio bedhead is thought to date back to between September 2000 and October 2002. A second image released of a slither of the bedroom helps put it in context. The team already knows a few things, including the brand of radio in this bedhead. But not the location of the room or people connected with it, or the context of items such as the computer chair, speckled cream carpet, mattress, wall covering, carpet, lights, mirror and side tables, noting they may have changed colour or been renovated over time. Information sources could be builders, realtors or domestic cleaners.

“So, those clues are important and might lead us to new victims as well.”

The last release of images through Trace an Object resulted in 1327 leads and investigators at ACCCE have tracked down 192 victims since 2020.

Taken in or around 2017, this image has several distinct architectural features including the balustrade and fireplace, as well as the tile and parquetry flooring in front.

This distinctive owl pillow is sold overseas. What the team is now seeking is information about where it is, or has been, sold in Australia, given it’s not handmade. This could catch the eye of families, retail staff, interior design enthusiasts, real estate agents or cleaners.

“My warning to those individuals out there who are sitting behind computers, targeting our children, is that you’re not invisible,” Comm Schneider said.

“You’re living a choice, and you will be found.”

Visit accce.gov.au/trace.

Originally published as AFP urges public to help solve child abuse cold cases with new images