Linking Local and International Contexts of Safeguarding and Harm Among Catholic Women Religious

Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) and the University of Newcastle invite you to participate in a webinar which will explore both global and local research concerning historical and current abuse of women religious. Over the last ten years the phenomenon of abuse of women religious has been identified in diverse contexts with many communities actively engaged in driving change. This webinar has been designed to enable participants to connect with international and Australian researchers who will share their most recent findings into safety and safeguarding, and spiritual and sexual harm among communities of women religious across the world.

The webinar is an opportunity to listen, dialogue and discern multiple pathways for responding to historical and ongoing harm.

Please join us to learn about the research work being undertaken across Australia, Germany and Africa in partnership with women religious, and the implications of the research for safeguarding.

The webinar will include dialogue with the following topics:

• Prof Ute Leimgruber and her important study recently published reporting on interviews with women religious impacted by sexual and spiritual harm in German speaking countries;

• Dr Rocio Figueroa and her current study with women religious in African countries;

• Dr Magdalena Huerten and her research into historical evidence of abuse in archival records in Europe and Australia;

• Dr Kathleen McPhillips and Dr Tracy McEwan and their projects exploring current and historical evidence of sexual abuse of women religious in Australia.

Participants will also be introduced to the proposed Global Survey of Catholic Women Religious 2026-2028.

Event details:

Date: Friday 31 October 2025

Time: 7.00am - 9.00am (WA)

8.30am - 10.30am (NT)

9.00am - 11.00am (QLD)

9.30am - 11.30am (SA)

10.00am - 12.00pm (TAS/ACT/VIC/NSW)

Venue: Online, via Zoom

Facilitator: Jacqui Remond