A new advisory group will meet in Brisbane today to ensure the voices of victims and survivors are at the centre of the Government's response to child sexual abuse.
The 20-member National Strategy Advisory Group of experts, including people with lived and living experience, service providers, peak bodies and academics, are meeting over the coming two days to help shape action on child sexual abuse by providing advice on the design, implementation, and evaluation of measures under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030.
The national strategy is Australia's first strategic framework to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in all settings, and was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The members represent the experience of every national strategy priority group: victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and their advocates, children and young people and their support networks, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with a disability, LGBTQIA+, and people living in regional and remote communities.
By working with this group, we are ensuring the national strategy delivers support for the people who need it most and our children and young people are better protected.
The Gillard Government established the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which revealed the extent of these crimes in our community.
Australia's willingness to finally reckon with the horrific toll of child sexual abuse and neglect was only possible because of the tireless advocacy of victims, survivors and their families.
Child abuse thrives in the shadows, but by listening to the stories of others we can shine a light, and act to keep children safe.
