Challenge 1, 2 and 3 in Here for Change, the National Centre’s Five Year Strategy, highlights that children and young people with disability who experience child sexual abuse are often not identified, protected or well supported.

Moderated by National Centre CEO Dr Leanne Beagley, this webinar brings together lived experience with insights from research and practice experts to explore the experience of child sexual abuse for and with people with disability.

The conversation will unpack:

structural inequalities that contribute to people with disability being more vulnerable to abuse.
systemic barriers that compound trauma for people with disability to be believed and then access and receive the protection and support they need.
the importance of disability centred approaches to healing and recovery from trauma.

This webinar is part of a concentrated effort by the National Centre to support the translation of knowledge and improve responses for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

Time: 12pm-1.30pm AEST (1pm-2.30pm AEDT)

Where: Online

Please note this webinar will be recorded.

Featuring a live Q&A session with the speakers, all are welcome.

Speakers

Dr India Bryce began her career as an early childhood educator, before transitioning to work as a front-line Child Safety Officer in the Investigation and Assessment Team, in the Queensland Department of Child Safety, Women and Youth. India is now a Senior Lecturer and Academic in the School of Psychology and Wellbeing, at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and a member of the USQ Centre of Health Research. India’s current research explores cumulative adversity across the lifespan, trauma informed pedagogy in higher education, and trauma narratives. India has presented on her research nationally and internationally and has published books, book chapters, and journal articles on the topics of child abuse, child sexual abuse and neglect from several viewpoints.

Victoria Reid is a senior worker and trauma counsellor at WWILD Sexual Violence Prevention Association. Her lived experience of childhood sexual abuse and domestic and family violence underpins her practice when supporting victims and survivors, their families, and communities. Victoria has an academic background in Biomedical Science and Counselling, and has practiced in both government and non-government organisations providing therapy, case management, consultancy, and training. Victoria is a passionate advocate for people living with intellectual disability who experience complex intersectional vulnerabilities and systems failures.  

Chelsea Troutman is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and Clinical Supervisor, a registered Specialist Advanced Behaviour Support Practitioner in Forensic Disability within the NDIS, and the Founding Director of Elements Assessment Behaviour Consulting. Chelsea also holds a Master of Education in Applied Behavioural Analysis and a Specialist Certificate in Criminology. With a particular focus on supporting forensic disability and youth with complex needs, Chelsea has consulted both nationally and internationally on a number of individual cases and systemic policy and has undertook research on the needs of young people in the out-of-home care system. Chelsea is passionate about up skilling the sector to better support some of society's most vulnerable citizens, and is guided by trauma informed, compassionate and strength-based approaches to fostering meaningful outcomes for all. 

Moderator

Dr Leanne Beagley is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse. She has clinical, leadership and legal qualifications and 15 years of clinical experience in child and family mental health services, with subsequent experience as a senior leader within health, mental health and primary care settings. She has undertaken policy leadership within government and policy advocacy from within the sector.

About the In Conversation series

Hosted by the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse (the National Centre), our In Conversation series brings together experts from research, law, policy and practice to explore how we can work together to reduce, eliminate and respond to child sexual abuse so that victims and survivors are believed and supported to heal and recover.

About the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse (the National Centre) is a partnership between three respected organisations — the Australian Childhood Foundation, Blue Knot Foundation and the Healing Foundation. Established in late 2021, following a recommendation by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the National Centre commissions critical research, builds the capability of workers and organisations and raises community awareness to reduce stigma. Central to this work is elevating the voices of victims and survivors of all ages, life stages and communities