UOW researchers to develop Australia's first evidence clearinghouse on problematic and harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people
A multidisciplinary research team from the University of Wollongong (UOW) School of Social Sciences has secured a $ 1 million Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) tender to establish a first-of-its-kind online clearinghouse of best-practice approaches to problematic and harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people.
The project is part of the Research to Practice Alliance being developed by UOW, a landmark initiative of DCJ and NSW Health, funded under the Commonwealth's Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence National Partnership Agreement.
The clearinghouse will bring together the best available evidence on identifying, preventing, and responding to problematic and harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people – an area of critical importance for the health and human services sectors.
Led by Dr Kenny Kor, the team includes Associate Professor Jacqui Cameron, Associate Professor Summer May Finlay, Professor Simon Hackett from Durham University, UK, along with project advisers, Senior Professor Annette Braunack-Mayer and Professor Jo Spangaro. The researchers will work with practitioners, policymakers and community partners to meet the needs of professionals working with children, young people and their families or carers.
"Problematic and harmful sexual behaviour is a growing concern, but many children, young people and families still miss out on support because these behaviours are often misunderstood, underreported or not addressed early," Dr Kor said.
"Services need clear guidance, especially for children and young people with complex needs who require coordinated support across multiple systems. The initiative will offer research-informed and practice-ready resources that support prevention, early intervention and effective responses across diverse service contexts."
Problematic and harmful sexual behaviours can occur in homes, schools, online spaces and other settings, and affect children and young people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.
"Too often, children and young people who display these behaviours are seen by child protection and specialist services, when what we need is a broader workforce equipped with evidence-informed, culturally safe and trauma-informed guidance to support them and their families," Associate Professor Finlay said.
Associate Professor Cameron said the clearinghouse will bridge the research to practice gap.
"We will work closely with subject matter experts and people with lived experience to consolidate, evaluate, and translate research evidence into practical and accessible resources to support best practice," she said.
By integrating research, practitioner knowledge and community perspectives, the project aims to promote safer environments and generate lasting improvements in service responses across Australia.
