Accessibility of child sexual abuse prevention in Australia
Child sexual abuse is a national health crisis that the National Centre is committed to addressing. Reshaping the Conversation was a space for understanding, dialogue and collaboration in child sexual abuse response and prevention.
Day 1 | Session 1 – Unpacking the Complexity
This session explored the complexities of preventing and responding to child sexual abuse including how we: challenge problematic community attitudes; build community and workers’ ability and confidence to respond, act and support; and the role language plays in healing.
Plenary – Dr Leanne Beagley
Panel discussion:
- Chair – Dr Leanne Beagley
- Megan Graham, National Office for Child Safety
- Fiona Cornforth, Co-Chair, National Centre First Nations College, Head of Centre at the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University
- Aimee Hele, Youth Advocate
- Professor Daryl Higgins, Director of Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University
- Dr Deirdre Thompson, Director of Therapeutic & Support Services, Bravehearts
- Dr Pooja Sawrikar, Founder and Director, Scholar Freedom
Day 1 | Session 2 – Consequences, risk and impacts of disclosing child sexual abuse
This session explored the challenges of disclosing child sexual abuse including the consequences on families and relationships; the importance of believing children; and inherent risks and power imbalance impacting victims and survivors.
Plenary – Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Panel discussion:
- Chair – Shannan Dodson, CEO of The Healing Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member
- Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
- Professor Lynne McPherson, Chair, Out of Home Care Research and Deputy Director, Centre for Children and Young People, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University
- Hanina Rind, Principal Lawyer and Founder, Yarn Legal
- Dr Katrina Lines, CEO, Act for Kids
- John Cardamone, Child sexual abuse survivor, speaker and educator
- Alisa Hall, Director Practice Development, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Day 1 | Session 3 – Understanding and responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviours within an education setting
This session discussed Harmful Sexual Behaviours and how to effectively respond. The panel explored the growing impact on communities and parents, and focused particularly on the challenges for educators and school settings in preventing, intervening and responding.
Plenary – Dr Robyn Miller, CEO, Mackillop Family Services
Panel discussion:
- Chair – Janise Mitchell, CEO, Australian Childhood Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member
- Dr Robyn Miller, CEO, Mackillop Family Services
- Melissa Brown, Research Associate, University of Wollongong
- Shannon Molloy, Award-winning journalist and best-selling author
- Jenny Wing, General Manager Therapeutic Services, Australian Childhood Foundation and Chair, Victorian Harmful Sexual Behaviour Network
- Professor Andrea de Silva, Director, Knowledge Generation, Research and Evaluation, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Day 2 | Opening Keynotes
Why do children and child sexual abuse get forgotten in systems reform? Children are often overlooked and decision-makers focus on broader issues or adult-centric solutions, missing the unique and critical needs of children.
Speakers:
1. Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner
2. Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner
3. Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC
Day 2 | Session 4 – The challenges of systems collaboration
It is essential for different systems to work in tandem to prevent and effectively respond to child sexual abuse.
This session showcased different practical examples of systems collaboration and explored strategies for making diverse systems work together effectively, emphasising practical enablers and how to navigate challenges.
Panel discussion:
- Chair – Dr Leanne Beagley
Candas Hogan, Regional Program Coordinator, Family and Sexual Violence Command Tasmania Police Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Luke Twyford, Chief Executive and Principal Commissioner, Queensland Family and Child Commission
Dale Tolliday, Senior Clinical Advisor, Children and Young People’s Sexual Safety Program, The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Professor Ben Mathews, Research Professor, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology
Natasha Brunhuber, Co-Chair of the National Centre First Nations College, Survivor, Relationship Manager at Community First Development
You will also hear from National Centre Survivor-led College members:
- Robbie Gambley
- Malika Elizabeth Reese
Day 2 | Session 5 – Living with child sexual abuse related complex trauma – ongoing trauma and intersectional healing
This session explored complex trauma including the persistent nature of trauma over time; the ongoing process of healing and how overlapping forms of discrimination impact the ability to access necessary support.
Plenary – Professor Michael Salter, Director of Childlight, UNSW
Panel discussion:
- Chair – Dr Cathy Kezelman, President of Blue Knot Foundation, Board Chair of National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
- Professor Michael Salter, Director of Childlight UNSW
- Louise Lamont, CEO, Phoenix Support and Advocacy Services Inc
- Tiffany McComsey, CEO of the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC)
- Dr Graham Gee, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
- Malika Elizabeth Reese, Member of the National Centre Survivor-led Adult College
- Janise Mitchell, CEO, Australian Childhood Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member
