The Australian Government is inviting experts, advocates and people with lived experience to help drive its ongoing commitment to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.
A ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy Advisory Group and a ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Clinical Reference Group are being established to provide regular advice on the implementation of Australia’s first ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben Morton, said the two groups will play a key role in implementing the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy.
“The design, implementation and evaluation of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy should be informed by a diverse range of expertise and views,” Minister Morton said.
“We want a diverse representation on the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy Advisory Group. We are calling on expressions of interest from people of varied backgrounds and experiences to take part.”
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Clinical Reference Group will support governments’ work to enhance national approaches to children with harmful sexual behaviours.
“It’s important we get this right. We want evidence-based advice as our children deserve to live in a society where they are protected and supported.”
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy is a 10-year, whole-of-nation framework recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It is the first of its kind in Australia and establishes a coordinated, nationally consistent approach to preventing and better responding to child sexual abuse in all settings.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Office for Child Safety is overseeing implementation of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy and is committed to consultation with non-government stakeholders over the strategy’s lifetime.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Strategy Advisory Group close on 24 March 2022. Individuals from non-government organisations, academic institutions, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, advocates, children and young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQA+ people, people living in regional and remote communities, and people with disability are encouraged to express their interest in the Group.
The EOI for the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Clinical Reference Group close on 24 March 2022. Health professionals, clinicians and academics with relevant expertise are encouraged to express their interest in the Group.