Have we got it wrong? The public health approach and child protection

Please join us for the 21st annual Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) Oration.

Since the early 2000s, the public health approach has been heralded as the key framework to inform systemic responses to abuse and neglect and address demand pressures on child protection – but have we got this right?

Professor Leah Bromfield will discuss the application – and misapplication – of the public health approach, and practical ways forward to realise the intent of a transformed approach to child protection.

OUR ORATOR

Professor Leah Bromfield, Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia

Professor Leah Bromfield is an internationally recognised leader in the field of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse and issues affecting child protection systems. Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection, she is routinely called upon to provide advice to governments and as a Commissioner has led a state Inquiry. She currently Chairs the Tasmanian Uplifting Care Independent Expert Panel and South Australian Child Protection Expert Group, and Co-Chairs the National Advisory Group for the National Strategy for Child Sexual Abuse. The impacts of her research have been profound with lasting national and international changes to law, policy, and practice. Leah is the 2025 Australian of the Year for South Australia.

OUR CHAIR

Professor Carol Maher (HDA Co-Convenor), Professor of Population and Digital Health, Medical Research Future Fund Investigator / Director of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia.

Other event information:

Networking and light refreshments will follow the session from 7pm.