Detective acting Inspector from the sexual crimes squad, Tracy Johnston, said any sexual assault was incredibly traumatic for the victim, especially when the feeling of safety and security in one’s home was compromised.
“Our victim has lived with the physical and emotional impacts of this assault for almost 40 years and investigators are determined to pursue every avenue of inquiry so we can provide her with the closure she deserves,” Johnston said.
Despite the significant amount of time that has passed, detectives are hopeful any new information from the public could shine fresh light on the incident and help bring the decades-old case to a close.
The perpetrator was described as a tall, stocky Caucasian man who had short, ginger hair, a moustache and a generally fair complexion. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a stocking over his head and possibly a flannelette shirt.
Johnston said no piece of information was ever too small in an investigation like this, and that anyone with information about the incident or the person responsible should come forward to the police.
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“Historical sexual offending matters are incredibly complex, but we know people’s circumstances can change over time, and this appeal might be the prompt needed to help close a terrible chapter in someone’s life,” she said.
Johnston added that the authorities had already spoken to the people the victim-survivor had been out with that night, but it did not appear anything “untoward” was noticed while the group was at the Astrodome.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
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