Help us trace an object and stop child sexual abuse

AFP Releases New Images to Solve Child Sexual Abuse Cold Cases

TRIGGER WARNING: The following content contains images and details that may be distressing to some people.

Editor’s note: images related to this initiative can be downloaded via Hightail.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has released new images as part of the world-class initiative, Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object, with the aim of solving child sexual abuse cold cases.

Non-Confrontational Images Released

The four non-confrontational images released during National Child Protection Week include:

• A room with a fireplace
• A bed frame with a built-in radio
• Two linked images featuring a distinctive brick wall pattern and yellow curtains

Investigators from the AFP are hoping that certain details in the images might serve as clues that could help crack cases and potentially remove vulnerable children from harm.

The investigators believe that the images released today were taken in Australia, and they are urging the public to view the images and contact the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) if they recognize any items in the images.

Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object Initiative

The Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative was launched on March 3, 2021. As of August 30, 2023, a total of 192,782 people have visited the ACCCE-related webpages, resulting in 908 tip-offs to the AFP.

The received reports have been significant and have sparked numerous investigative leads.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Helen Schneider stated that these images were considered to be needles in a haystack, but believed that the public could have crucial information that would assist the police.

“Victim identification specialists have the painstaking task of going through images and videos frame-by-frame to identify anything that helps with the origin, location, or the identity of a victim,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Schneider said.

“Your leads can make or break an investigation, and every tip could make all the difference for a vulnerable victim.

“No child should have to endure sexual abuse, and our team of investigators will never give up the fight, but we need every member of the community to be our eyes and ears to help police save victims and arrest perpetrators.

“If you recognize an object and any details about its origin, please report it via the ACCCE website. You can do so securely and anonymously.

“No clue is too small. Your small tip could be the information we need to rescue a child from significant harm.”

“Our investigators dedicate so much time and resources to prevent and take action against individuals who commit heinous crimes against children, and we are thankful for that,” Assistant Commissioner Schneider added.

About Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object Initiative

‘Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object’ was developed and launched by the AFP-led ACCCE and is based on the highly-successful initiative devised by Europol in 2017.

The public can view the images by visiting www.accce.gov.au/trace or follow the ACCCE on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates on objects uploaded to the website.

The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse, and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is driving a collaborative national approach to combating child abuse.

The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call the police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.

Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed that only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at www.thinkuknow.org.au, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.

For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation, and how to report it, visit www.accce.gov.au.

Note to Media

Use of term CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL not CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.

Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:

• Indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser
• Conjures images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse

Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.

Media enquiries: AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

Connect with us: Follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube pages to learn more about what the AFP does to keep Australia safe.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 5: Gender Equality

The article discusses the issue of child sexual abuse and the efforts to solve cold cases and protect vulnerable children. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. It also relates to SDG 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

The article highlights the efforts to end child sexual abuse and protect children from harm, which aligns with Target 16.2 of SDG 16. It also mentions the importance of preventing violence against women and girls, including online exploitation, which relates to Target 5.2 of SDG 5.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of tip-offs received by the AFP through the Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative
• Number of cases solved or leads generated through the initiative
• Number of visits to the ACCCE website

The article mentions that the Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object initiative has received 908 tip-offs to the AFP, indicating public engagement and potential progress towards identifying perpetrators and protecting children. It also states that the reports received have sparked numerous investigative leads, suggesting progress in solving cases. Additionally, it mentions that 192,782 people have visited the ACCCE-related webpages, indicating public awareness and engagement in combating child sexual abuse.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: afp.gov.au

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