Resources
In June 2022, the National Office for Child Safety at the Attorney-General’s Department commissioned the University of Canberra’s News & Media Research Centre to develop evidence‑based media guides to encourage responsible reporting on child sexual abuse, and a companion guide for victims and survivors engaging with the media (the Guides).
These evidence-based Guides have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders from media, child safety sectors and victims and survivors. They are underpinned by the principle that news media should approach the reporting of child sexual abuse with trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment and respect for diversity, and that victims and survivors should be educated, equipped and supported to liaise productively and safely with media.
The Guides have been developed through:
- Review of academic literature on the role of media in reporting on and shaping public understanding of child sexual abuse;
- Review of existing media guidelines and guides for people with lived experience on related topics such as mental health, violence against women and child abuse, noting there are currently no specific guidelines for media reporting on child sexual abuse in Australia;
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of two years’ news media reporting from April 2020-March 2022 across print, broadcast and online media to identify key features and trends in media reporting;
- Consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including people with lived experience, media professionals, and advocacy organisations. The team first sought formative feedback through a survey, workshops and interviews, which was synthesised with the review of academic literature, guidelines review and media analysis to develop the draft Guides. The team then conducted further consultation to refine the draft Guides to ensure they were informed by the voices and views of victims and survivors, advocates, and media professionals. Over 100 participants in 28 online and in-person workshops, small consultations and individual meetings contributed thoughtful, impassioned and practical feedback.
Royal Commission (RCIRCSA) resources
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse handed down its Final Report in December 2017. The Commission’s official website houses all 17 volumes of the report, in addition to the research undertaken to inform its work to answer some key questions and respond to gaps in the Australian and international evidence base.
Supplementary materials include short narratives based on the testimonies of the over 8000 victims and survivors who shared their experiences and recommendations with Commissioners during private sessions.
National Office for Child Safety resources
The National Office for Child Safety (NOCS) leads the development and implementation of national priorities to protect children and young people from child sexual abuse, and support victims and survivors. NOCS is responsible for implementing a National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse, which was a key recommendation of the RCIRCSA.
The Office’s resource library contains reports, toolkits, factsheets and guides related to its remit. These resources have been translated into over 20 languages.
Support and Advocacy Organisations
Since 2015 the Ballarat-based LOUD fence organisation has been a universal symbol of solidarity, awareness, and change, amplifying the voices of survivors and ensuring their experiences could never again be silenced. LOUD fence walks beside and stands with victim-survivors, and their loved ones, of child sexual assault.
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLA)N) is a national, independent, peak membership body which represents, supports and advocates for people who were raised in Australian and New Zealand orphanages, children’s homes, missions & foster care.
SNAICC are a national peak body Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that works to improve outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and strengthen the capacities of families across Australia.
Serving Victorian families and individuals since 1887, drummond street services supports families and individuals, promotes connected and inclusive communities and drives innovation and research into family support interventions.
The Blue Knot Foundation offers support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and adult survivors of institutional child sexual abuse around the National Redress Scheme. Blue Knot provides a safe space for survivors to access the support and tools they need to heal from the impacts of violence and abuse.
SAMSN is Australia’s leading organisation for male survivors of child sexual abuse. SAMSN has many resources that prioritise the wellbeing of survivors, supporters and services providers. Their services for survivors and supporters are free.
Breaking Silences 