By Tim Barlass
By day Karen Lindley is a gemologist designing fine jewellery at her studio in Sydney.
But she also has a volunteer job that the NSW Police Force's Sex Crimes Squad says has helped put more than 16 paedophiles behind bars.
Fairy Godmother: Karen Lindley listens and believes.Credit: Christopher Pearce
She's what may be described as a paedophile victim's whisperer – a description she accepts is a good analogy.
She's not a counsellor and she doesn't collect evidence. She provides nurturing to a victim so that they are in better shape to ultimately make a statement to the Sex Crimes Squad, who can then prepare a case. The youngest victim she is currently helping is aged six. The oldest is 70.
People who come forward to say they were a victim of a past sexual assault are referred to her by police or the charity Bravehearts, whose objective is to educate, empower and protect Australian kids from sexual assault.
"If you are in NSW you will get me, the fairy godmother. I am the only one who does what I do.
"Often [the victim's] world has fallen apart. Often they have never been believed. Often they are not in a really good headspace. My role is to keep them nice and calm. The fact that I believe them is a really good start," she says.
"I had a victim and all he could do was sit and rock in the foetal position. Nobody knows who these perpetrators are. Only the victims. All I can do is let them know I believe them. Let them know they are not the only one this has happened to.
"Police know they can call me 24/7. The police don't have the resources to have fairy godmothers sitting there. You could put another 20 people into the sex crimes unit and they would still be overworked."
Because of publicity of high-profile cases like that of Rolf Harris, more people are coming forward but Ms Lindley says it is still only "the tip of the iceberg".
Of Harris, she says she knew from the first account that there would be other victims. "Look at Bill Cosby. He's not so bloody smart now is he?"
Ms Lindley was talking after being named NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year at the 2014 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards at Kirribilli Club on Friday.
Gemma Rygate, the chief executive of The Centre for Volunteering said: "When people volunteer, there's a huge, positive ripple effect that goes way beyond the initial act of volunteering. Volunteers fill the gaps in every local community, and a seemingly small act of volunteering has significant impact on people's lives."
Because of her work few know the profile of a paedophile better than Ms Lindley.
"They are always arrogant. They generally deny what they did and plead not guilty. They generally put their victims through hell. Very rarely does a paedophile say: 'I've done the crime, I'll do the time and apologise to my victims'. I've never heard it.
"I am delighted when they go to jail. They don't look anywhere nearly so big and strong when they are sentenced."
The worst case she dealt with involved little children.
"The day I got called in to help with that case my own granddaughter, the same day, had told me that her mummy smelled like love and strawberries and cream. I got the call from the sex crimes unit about those little children and their parents had not protected them. I cried myself to sleep."
Detective Sergeant Eugene Stek, of State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad, said the work of Bravehearts for victims was simply incredible, providing endless support to investigations.
"On a personal level, Karen has worked alongside us for more than six years and during that time she has proved to be nothing short of remarkable," she said.
"Karen has provided support to more than 50 victims and has personally helped secure the conviction of no less than 16 offenders. There is; however, a domino effect with these figures – her support of victims in sex crimes investigations often leads police to other, previously unknown, victims and offenders.
"As such, the true figures in relation to the number of offenders arrested and convicted as a result of Karen's efforts in supporting these victims would be well above these numbers."