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 will learn about National Centre commissioned research, hear perspectives from speakers with lived experience and engage with child sexual abuse researchers, practitioners and policy makers. 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 (AEST)

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.

Program Day 1

8.00-9.00am - Tea and Coffee 

9.00-9.15am - Welcome to Country

9.15-9.35am - National Centre Welcome Introductory Address, Dr Cathy Kezelman, President of Blue Knot Foundation, Board Chair of National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

9.45-10.00am - Opening Keynote, Aimee Hele, Youth Advocate 

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.  

10.10-11.45am - Session 1 - Unpacking the Complexity 

This session will 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.

10.10-10.30am - Plenary, Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO National Centre  

10.30-11.45am - Panel discussion, chaired by Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO National Centre, alongside panellists: 

• Megan Graham, National Office for Child Safety 
• Fiona Cornforth, Co-Chair National Centre First Nations College, Head of Centre at the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Australian National University 
• Aimee Hele, Youth Advocate
• Professor Daryl Higgins, Director of Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University 
• Dr Deirdre Thompson, Director of Therapeutic & Support Services, Bravehearts 
• Dr Pooja Sawrikar, Founder and Director, Scholar Freedom

11.45am-1.00pm - Lunch 

1.00–2.45pm - Session 2 - Consequences, risk and impacts of disclosing child sexual abuse 

This session explores the challenges of disclosing child sexual abuse including the consequences on families and relationships; the importance of believing children; and inherent risks and power imbalance impacting victims and survivors.

1.00-1.20pm - Plenary - Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission 

1.20-2.45pm - Panel discussion, chaired by Shannan Dodson, CEO of The Healing Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member alongside panel members:

• Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission 
• Professor Lynne McPherson, Chair, Out of Home Care Research and Deputy Director Centre for Children and Young People, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University 
• Hanina Rind, Principal Lawyer and Founder, Yarn Legal 
• Dr Katrina Lines, CEO Act for Kids 
• John Cardamone, Child sexual abuse survivor, speaker and educator 
• Alisa Hall, Director Practice Development, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse 

2.45-3.10pm - Afternoon tea

3.10-4.45pm - Session 3 - Understanding and responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviours within an education setting 

This session discusses Harmful Sexual Behaviours and how to effectively respond. The panel will explore the growing impact on communities, parents, and focus particularly on the challenges for educators and school settings in preventing, intervening and responding.

3.10-3.30pm - Plenary, Dr Robyn Miller, CEO Mackillop Family Services

3.30-4.45pm - Panel discussion, chaired by Janise Mitchell, CEO, Australian Childhood Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member, alongside panellists: 

• Dr Robyn Miller, CEO Mackillop Family Services 
• Melissa Brown, Research Associate, University of Wollongong
• Shannon Molloy, Award-winning journalist and best-selling author
• Jenny Wing, General Manager Therapeutic Services at the Australian Childhood Foundation and Chair of the Victorian Harmful Sexual Behaviour Network 
• Professor Andrea de Silva, Director Knowledge Generation, Research and Evaluation, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

4.45-5.00pm - Wrap up and Day 1 close, Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO National Centre.

Program Day 2

8.00-9.00am - Tea and Coffee 

9.00-10.00am - Opening Keynote 

Why do children and child sexual abuse get forgotten in systems reform? Children are often overlooked and decision-makers focus on broader issues or adult-centric solutions, missing the unique and critical needs of children.

9.00-9.20am - Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner

9.20-9.40am - Micaela Cronin, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner

9.40-10.00am - Catherine Liddle, CEO SNAICC 

10.00-11.45am - Session 4 - The challenges of systems collaboration

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.

10.00-10.30am - Plenary

• Candas Hogan, Regional Program Coordinator, Family and Sexual Violence Command Tasmania Police Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
• Kathryn Fordyce, CEO Laurel House 

10.30-11.45am - Panel discussion, chaired by Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO National Centre, alongside panellists: 

• Candas Hogan, Regional Program Coordinator, Family and Sexual Violence Command Tasmania Police Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
• Luke Twyford, Chief Executive and Principal Commissioner Queensland Family and Child Commission
• Dale Tolliday, Senior Clinical Advisor, Children and Young People’s Sexual Safety Program, The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network 
• Professor Ben Mathews, Research Professor, School of Law at Queensland University of Technology 
• Natasha Brunhuber, Co-Chair of the National Centre First Nations College, Survivor, Relationship Manager at Community First Development

11.45am-1.00pm - Lunch and National Centre Annual Report launch

1.00-2.40pm - Session 5 - Living with child sexual abuse related complex trauma - ongoing trauma and intersectional healing 

This session will explore complex trauma including the persistent nature of trauma over time; the ongoing process of healing and how overlapping forms of discrimination impact the ability to access necessary support

1.00-1.20pm - Plenary, Professor Michael Salter, Director of Childlight UNSW

1.25-2.40pm - Panel discussion, chaired by Dr Cathy Kezelman, President of Blue Knot Foundation, Board Chair of National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, alongside panellists: 

• Professor Michael Salter, Director Childlight UNSW
• Louise Lamont, CEO Phoenix Support and Advocacy Services Inc
• Tiffany McComsey, CEO of the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation (KBHAC)
• Dr Graham Gee, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
• Malika Elizabeth Reese, Member of the National Centre Survivor-led Adult College
• Janise Mitchell, CEO, Australian Childhood Foundation and National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse Board Member

2.40-3.15pm - Closing Keynote, John Cardamone, Child sexual abuse survivor, speaker and educator 

John Cardamone, child sexual abuse survivor, speaker and educator, 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.

3.15-3.30pm - Wrap up and close, Dr Leanne Beagley, CEO National Centre