In Conversation: The National Centre and Professor Ben Mathews

Join the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse as we host the first in our In Conversation series with Professor Ben Mathews, Lead Investigator on the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.

The conversation will feature National Centre Board Members, Dr Joe Tucci, Chair and CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, Dr Cathy Kezelman, Deputy Chair and President of the Blue Knot Foundation, Fiona Cornforth, Board Member and CEO of The Healing Foundation, and Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, as we explore the results of this landmark study.

Date: Thursday 20 April 2023

Time: 1pm - 2.30pm AEST

Where: Online

Results of this groundbreaking study, released on 3 April 2023, identify, for the first time, how many Australians in the general population have experienced child sexual abuse and other forms of child abuse and neglect. In addition, it reveals the extent of harm associated with child maltreatment in terms of mental health disorders, health risk behaviours and health service utilisation.

This conversation will discuss the data and insights learned with a particular emphasis on child sexual abuse and explore how these can ultimately inform policies and practice to reduce child sexual abuse and improve responses to it.

Featuring a live Q&A session with the speakers, all are welcome at this important and timely event.

Speakers

Professor Ben Mathews is the Lead Investigator on the Australian Child Maltreatment Study. He is a Professor of Law and a Principal Research Fellow in the School of Law at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, and Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is internationally recognised for his research expertise in the field of child sexual abuse, and he was a Professorial Fellow to the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Dr Joe Tucci is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Childhood Foundation, a social worker and psychologist. He has completed a PhD in emotional abuse and uses post-modern and narrative ideas in research, counselling and training. He has a particular interest in the impact of abuse-related trauma on brain development and the implications for practice.  Joe has extensive experience in the provision of consultancy, clinical supervision and program development and evaluation.

Dr Cathy Kezelman AM is a medical practitioner, President of Blue Knot Foundation and has a lived experience of complex trauma. She has been a driving force within Blue Knot, previously ASCA, for over 2 decades and has held a number of board and key representative roles within the mental health and related sectors. Cathy is co-author of a range of seminal Blue Knot publications and guidelines, a prominent voice in the media and at conferences, and a national advocate for trauma-informed transformational changes and informed responsiveness to people experiencing the impacts of complex trauma. She is a Board Member of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.

Fiona Cornforth is of the Wuthathi of the far north-east cape of Queensland with family roots also in Zenadth Kes. She is the CEO of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, a national organisation leading the movement on survivor-led intergenerational healing. Fiona has gained experience and perspectives in education, leadership and business development globally and shares a message of celebration and gratitude for the greatness of ancestors, Elders, and the ontology and authority that holds her and her family. She is a Board Member of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.

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, 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.