Commissioned research

Evaluating a harmful sexual behaviour education program in a residential care setting

  • Education
  • Harmful sexual behaviours
  • Out-of-home care

Project Length

12 months

Project Budget

$35,000

Funding Stream

Quality Improvement

Project Lead

  • Melinda Clarke, Life Without Barriers

Project Team

  • Cathy Webb, Life Without Barriers
  • Marina Dickson, Life Without Barriers
  • James Dalesio, Life Without Barriers

Background and Aim

This project aims to evaluate the outcomes of Life Without Barriers’ Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviour education program in a residential care setting.

The program’s goals are to increase understanding of, and capacity to identify and respond appropriately to, harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people in out-of-home-care.

Methods

The project will explore the effectiveness of the training program at impacting staff knowledge and behaviour. With the support of our academic partner, we will design a methodology drawing on survey, interviews, and examination of records, involving the participation of over 120 direct support staff in residential care teams, in six locations across Australia.

Significance

Young people in residential care are at higher risk of engaging in, and being impacted by, harmful sexual behaviour than the broader population. The capability of individuals and organisations to prevent and respond appropriately to harmful sexual behaviour is crucial to preventing and mitigating further trauma to children and young people in residential care.

Latest research outcomes

Evaluation report

Evaluates the impact of training on residential care staff's knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to harmful sexual behaviour

View >

Infographic: Evaluation of harmful sexual behaviour training in a residential care setting

Shares key findings from the evaluation, highlighting the effectiveness of harmful sexual behaviour training in building workforce knowledge and confidence

View >

Infographic: Research to practice: Harmful sexual behaviour training in residential care

Highlights key practice implications from the evaluation, translating the evidence into practical insights for strengthening workforce capability in residential care

View >

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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

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