The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) has recently started a campaign to help find these children. They shared a striking series of images to support this urgent effort. This campaign taps into the expertise and lived experiences of regular Australians. Its purpose is to shed light on cases that hold incredibly ominous consequences. The images are waterslides that ACCCE’s Attorney General coalition suspects are linked to abuse material that likely was produced between 2014 and 2015.
Among the images released is one of a dress – believed to be handmade – shown here in a heavily sanitized version. This one specific thing can be very important and give great hints for possibly finding that victim, or at least shedding some light on their situation. ACCCE are hoping that people who identify the dress will have information and should contact them.
Notable Items and Their Context
Beyond the dress, the photos show a variety of household objects that might offer clues into the victims’ lives. The wonderful cane chair from a Queensland bedroom, 2009. All around are single bed frames and bright floral quilt cover sets. These underlying details would go a long way in reconstructing the living conditions of that child during that period of time.
In yet another photo, a radio bedhead, thought to date from September 2000–October 2002. The historical context of these items may assist law enforcement in understanding the timeline of events related to the abuse. Researchers have discovered another playmat in a bedroom scene that probably dates to about 2015. This unique setting provides some important context to the earlier, more general findings.
Seeking Information About Specific Clues
The ACCCE also has a jarring interest in two creatively framed sporting jerseys. One of the jerseys has the number 8 embroidered into it, while the other sports the number 11. These jerseys are important to a player, club member, or framer, therefore a fan. Sergeant Lana Carey made it clear how crucial these supplies are when she said,
“One of the photos from this latest Stop Child Abuse — Trace an Object release shows two framed football jerseys, so, in putting it out into the public, we’re looking to spark the memory of anyone who might have come across them.”
Further, an anklet shown in one photograph might have been worn by a woman who is now in her early 20s. This tangible object is something that might be familiar to the victim, or the victim’s circle of friends and family members.
Ongoing Commitment to Victim Identification
Detective Sergeant Carey pointed to the tireless work of identification specialists at the ACCCE, who said,
“Our identification specialists never give up on a victim.”
The organization remains committed to providing support for victims and survivors while pursuing justice for those affected by such heinous crimes. She continued to describe the emotional toll of this work which was profound.
“It’s about the never-ending hunt for closure, the commitment to saving and supporting victims and survivors and, hopefully, that bittersweet moment when you realize you’ve solved it.”
In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the ACCCE processed an incomprehensible 82,764 online instances of child sexual exploitation. That comes out to an average of 226 reports every single day! This immense number, along with the profile of current victims and perpetrators, highlight a critical need for public assistance in finding victims and bringing predators to justice.
