Reshaping the Conversation

Child sexual abuse is a national crisis that the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse is committed to addressing. 

You are invited to join us at the National Centre Showcase “Reshaping the Conversation” to explore and discuss topics such as the role of language, responses to disclosure and systems collaboration.

Over two days the National Centre will showcase work that addresses the crisis of child sexual abuse. Attendees can expect to learn about ongoing research projects from the National Centre and commissioned researchers, hear perspectives from speakers with lived experience, engage with researchers and practitioners and connect with others leading policy and working in the sector. The program will offer a space for understanding, dialogue and collaboration in child sexual abuse response and prevention.

The National Centre continues to work towards building a community where children are safe, and victims and survivors are supported to heal and recover, free of stigma and shame – a future without child sexual abuse.

Date: 22 – 23 October 2024

Where: State Library of Queensland
*Attendees are also invited to a special dinner hosted by the National Centre, at Rydges Southbank on the evening of 22 October 2024.

Speakers include:
Dr Cathy Kezelman, President Blue Knot Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Chair

Janise Mitchell, CEO Australian Childhood Foundation and National Centre Board Member

Shannan Dodson, CEO of The Healing Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member

Alison Geale, CEO Bravehearts

Professor Ben Mathews, Research Professor in the School of Law at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, Principal Research Fellow in the QUT Faculty of Business and Law, and Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health

Chad Stewart - Executive Director, Strategic Policy Strategy and Partnerships, Department of Communities WA

Professor Daryl Higgins, Director of Australian Catholic University’s Institute of Child Protection Studies

Dale Tolliday, Senior Clinical Advisor, Children and Young People's Sexual Safety Program, The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Fiona Cornforth, Co-Chair of the First Nations College at the National Centre, Head of Centre at the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research at the Australian National University and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member

Dr Graham Gee, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)

Hanina Rind, Principal Lawyer and Founder, Yarn Legal

John Cardamone, victim and survivor

Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

Professor Lynne McPherson Chair, Out of Home Care Research and Deputy Director Centre for Children and Young People, Faculty of Health Southern Cross University.

Louise Lamont, CEO Pheonix Support and Advocacy Services Inc

Melissa Brown, Research Associate, University of Wollongong

Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner

Professor Michael Salter, Director of Childlight UNSW

Natasha Brunhuber, Co-Chair of the First Nations College at the National Centre, victim and survivor, Relationship Manager at Community First Development

Dr Pooja Sawrikar, independent research consultant

Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner

Dr Robyn Miller, CEO MacKillop Family Services

Shannon Molloy, victim and survivor, journalist

Tiffany McComsey, CEO of the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC)

The Showcase program consists of daily keynotes and five sessions each with a plenary to shape the challenge we face, followed by a panel discussion to unpack and explore how we can collectively respond.

Day 1:

Opening Keynote
Lived experience at the centre explores the importance of personal experience in shaping our understanding and responses to child sexual abuse. This keynote emphasises how the voices and perspectives of those who live with the trauma of child sexual abuse are critical to drive meaningful change and improve support systems.

Unpacking the complexity – Plenary and Panel Discussion
This session will outline and explore the complexities of preventing and responding to child sexual abuse including how we: challenge problematic community attitudes; build community and workers ability and confidence to respond, act and support; and the role language plays in healing.

Consequences, risk and impacts of disclosing child sexual abuse - Plenary and Panel Discussion
This session explores the complexities of disclosing child sexual abuse including the consequences on families and relationships; the believability and credibility of children; and power and power imbalance.

Understanding and responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviours within an education setting - Plenary and Panel Discussion
This session addresses what we know about Harmful Sexual Behaviours and what’s needed to effectively respond. We’ll explore the growing impact on communities, parents, and focus particularly on the complexities and challenges for educators and schools in preventing, intervening and responding.

Day 2:

Opening Keynote
Why do children and child sexual abuse get forgotten in big systems change? In big systems changes, children often get overlooked because their needs are not always visible or prioritised. Decision-makers might focus on broader issues or adult-centric solutions, missing the unique and critical needs of children.

The challenges of systems collaboration - Plenary and Panel Discussion
It is essential for different systems to work in tandem to prevent and effectively respond to child sexual abuse. This session will showcase different practical examples of systems collaboration and explore strategies for making diverse systems work together effectively, emphasising practical enablers and how to navigate challenges.

Living with child sexual abuse related complex trauma - ongoing trauma and intersectional healing - Plenary and Panel Discussion
Do we really understand the complicated, lifelong, relational and intersecting impacts of child sexual abuse? This session will unpack child sexual abuse related complex trauma including the persistent nature of trauma over time; the continuous journey of healing and the importance of ongoing assistance, and how overlapping forms of discrimination impact the ability to access necessary support.

Closing Keynote by John Cardamone
John Cardamone, a victim and survivor of child sexual abuse, will inspire us with his story, discussing what has helped him and share with others how they can be a part of the healing journey of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.