Research

The National Centre is an evidence‑informed organisation. We have commissioned an extensive body of research with leading experts and are now focused on mobilising these powerful insights, translating them into practical tools and guidance that drive real change in practice.

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Commissioned research

In-house research

Active Research

To achieve this, we focused on four key objectives:

Objective 1

Keep up to date with evidence

Objective 2

Undertake and commission high quality research and evaluations

Objective 3

Support effective dissemination and translation of evidence and research findings

Objective 4

Support the adoption of continuous improvement practices

The National Centre previously delivered a commissioned research program, funding 24 projects through a competitive process.

These projects contributed to new knowledge, practice improvement and sector capability.

Our focus is now on mobilising these findings, bringing research to life across policy, systems, and services, and ensuring it reaches the wide range of audiences working to prevent child sexual abuse.

Our research

Commissioned Research

Creating safer futures: raising public awareness of child sexual abuse among young adults through digital storytelling

Children & young people
Community awareness
Prevention

This project investigates how people can be encouraged to engage with difficult topics when the urge is to turn away.

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Survivor perspectives on institutional use of child sexual abuse material

Online abuse
Victims & survivors
Workforce

This is the first study centred on victim and survivor attitudes towards institutional use of child sexual abuse material.

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The more I talk, the stronger I get: unlocking our past to free our future

First nations
Out-of-home care
Victims & survivors

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Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors

Education
Therapeutic responses
Workforce

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Our research

In-house Research

The National Centre conducts in‑house research, including a large national community attitudes study that surveys thousands of people across Australia to track change over time and generate critical insights that shape research direction and prevention efforts across the sector. We also undertake targeted research on emerging issues, including harmful sexual behaviours, where evidence points to increasing concern.

Supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse: Rapid Evidence Reviews

Victims & survivors

This agenda is a deliverable of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse, and is being informed, in part, by a series of Rapid Evidence Reviews.

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Reshaping the conversation: development of a shared language and preferred definitions guide endorsed by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse

Victims & survivors

This project created a shared language and preferred definitions guide, endorsed by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

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Building a knowledge frame for responding to the needs of children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour

Harmful sexual behaviours

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The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study

Community awareness

View Study ›

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The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse (National Centre) respectfully acknowledges and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations and pay our respects to ancestors and Elders past and present. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culture and lore continue to lead Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and acknowledge the tireless work to pursue justice outcomes for children and young people.

The National Centre supports decisions affecting people’s lives being fundamentally informed by those people. And upholds truth telling and agreement making for justice as essential components of healing.

We seek to honour the lived and living expertise of all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, harnessing all ages, cultures, abilities and backgrounds, and commit to substantially addressing the harm of child sexual abuse, now and well into the future.

We recognise that there are children and young people today who are experiencing sexual abuse and dedicate ourselves to doing all we can to expedite and promote their effective protection and care.

Supported by

Research

Commissioned Research

Creating safer futures: raising public awareness of child sexual abuse among young adults through digital storytelling

Survivor perspectives on institutional use of child sexual abuse material

The more I talk, the stronger I get: unlocking our past to free our future

Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors

In-house Research

Supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse: Rapid Evidence Reviews

Reshaping the conversation: development of a shared language and preferred definitions guide endorsed by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse

Building a knowledge frame for responding to the needs of children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour

The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study

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Understanding child sexual abuse

Response to child sexual abuse

Needs of victims and survivors

Prevention of child sexual abuse

Identification of child sexual abuse

Disclosure of child sexual abuse