Bright Futures National Symposium
Event description
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 and National Office for Child Safety.
Ticket inclusion:
Tickets are sold as a 2-day package and includes:
- attendance to all symposium sessions, including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- 2-course dinner on day 1
The ticket includes a networking dinner for attendees following day 1 to allow time to connect with colleagues. The dinner cost is incorporated into the overall ticket package. Please advise if you will not be attending the dinner at time of purchase - this will not result in a reduction of the ticket price as it is included in the 2-day package.
Agenda details:
Stay tuned for the detailed agenda coming soon...
Wednesday 6 August 2025
For local attendees and those arriving early we will have registrations available on the Wednesday afternoon.
Day 1 - Thursday 7 August 2025
8am - Arrival and registration
8:45am - Symposium commences
5pm - Symposium concludes
Day 1 Dinner - Thursday 7 August 2025
6pm - Dinner commences
10pm - Dinner concludes
Day 2 - Friday 8 August 2025
8am - Arrival and registration
9am - Symposium commences
4pm - Symposium concludes
Keynote Presenter:
Professor Carlene Firmin MBE
Dr Carlene Firmin is Professor of Social Work at Durham University, and professorial convener of their Sociology Department’s research group on Communities and Social Justice.
Presenters:
Associate Professor Danielle Arlanda Harris, Acting Director, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University
Professor Leah Bromfield, Director, Australian Centre for Child Protection (UniSA)
Dr Lara Christensen, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Justice, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit (SVRPU), University of the Sunshine Coast
Professor Andrea de Silva, Director, Knowledge Generation, Research and Evaluation, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Phil Doorgachurn, Executive - Strategic Safeguarding Children Initiatives, Australian Childhood Foundation
Associate Professor Lesley-anne Ey, Centre for Research in Educational and Social Inclusion, UniSA Education Futures, University of South Australia
Cyra Fernandes, Practice Lead Consultant, Australian Childhood Foundation
Colm Gannon, CEO, ICMEC-Australia
Professor Nicola Henry, Professor, RMIT University
Professor Daryl Higgins, Professor, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University
Gabrielle Hunt, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Catholic University
Dr Chloe Keel, Lecturer in Criminology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University
Rebecca Kilpatrick, Head of National Office for Child Safety
Rowena Lawrie, Director, Yamurrah
Dr Gemma McKibbin, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Nadine McKillop, Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit (SVRPU), University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Robyn Miller, Chief Executive Officer, MacKillop Family Services
Dr Sarah Napier, Research Manager, OSEC Research Program at Australian Institute of Criminology
Dr James Ogilvie, Lecturer, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University
Amanda Paton, Clinical Psychologist, Deputy Director, Practice, Australian Centre for Child Protection
Dr Susan Rayment-McHugh, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Justice, Co-Leader, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit (SVRPU), University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Amanda Robertson, Adjunct Research Fellow, Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University
Dr Joel Scanlan, Senior Lecturer, University of Tasmania
Camille Schloeffel, Founder, The STOP Campaign
Smeeta Singh, National Program Director, Power to Kids, McKillop Institute
Professor Dale Tolliday, Senior Clinical Advisor, Children and Young People’s Sexual Safety Program, the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
Carol Vale, Chief Executive Officer, Murawin
Professor Kerryann Walsh, Professor in Education, Queensland University of Technology
Stay tuned for the release of more presenters coming soon...
Accommodation details:
We recommend staying onsite at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort for your convenience. Attendees can visit the resort website and enter the promotional code, provided with your ticket purchase, to receive 15% off the best available rate at the time of booking. If you need assistance with a booking you can contact the reservations office on 1800 072 277 or via H1644@accor.com
Please note that accommodation is not included in the symposium ticket prices and must be purchased directly from the resort. Accommodation at the resort is subject to availability.
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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