The Daniel Morcombe Foundation is proud to present a two-day national symposium on preventing problematic and harmful sexual behaviours (PHSB) using contextual prevention approaches. From the heart of our cities to remote areas – contextual prevention recognises that a child is kept safe within connection, relationship and community. Professor Carlene Firmin, who developed ‘Contextual Safeguarding’ as a framework to address extrafamilial harm experienced by young people across the UK, will be our international keynote speaker. The contextual safeguarding approach provides a child protection and wider safeguarding response to contexts beyond families in which abuse has occurred, including environments where children spend their time such as school, neighbourhoods and the internet.

Over two days, child safe organisations, community leaders and professionals in the children’s education and care sectors, will exchange ideas on promising practice in the prevention of PHSB, with more presenters to be announced over the coming months. The symposium will showcase community-led initiatives with an emphasis on innovative research and projects that are centred on contexts and environments. The growing evidence-base coming out of the many diverse places and spaces from across Australia will be platformed with a focus on implementation and evaluation - acknowledging that what works in one context may not translate to another.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sunshine Coast, please join us on 7 – 8 August 2025 at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s first-ever national symposium, co-hosted with the Sexual Violence Research Prevention Unit (SVRPU; University of the Sunshine Coast) and supported by an expert advisory group of sector leaders including the University of Wollongong, the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Yamurrah, Restorative Yarns, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, Australian Childhood Foundation and National Office for Child Safety.

For more information on the symposium, please visit the website here: Bright Futures National Symposium 2025 - The Daniel Morcombe Foundation

Contact us:

For enquiries, please contact the Bright Futures Daniel Morcombe Foundation team at brightfutures@danielmorcombe.com.au or call 1300 326 435.

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