Attorney-General
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Minister for Social Services
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Joint Media Release
The Albanese Government has today announced the award of $12 million in grants to support 23 specialist and community support services across Australia to expand their crucial work responding to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and children who have displayed concerning or harmful sexual behaviours.
All children and young people have the right to be safe from sexual abuse. The Government is committed to protecting Australia's children from harm and supporting critical services who deliver early intervention, response, healing and recovery services to stop the intergenerational cycle of violence.
Under the grant program, the 23 successful applicants will receive funding to expand their capacity and capability to provide timely, safe and effective support to victims and survivors and/or children who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours.
The grant program is part of the $80 million commitment agreed at National Cabinet in September 2024 to enhance and expand child-centric, trauma-informed supports for children and young people who have experienced or witnessed family, domestic and sexual violence. It will also contribute to existing reforms under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 .
The grant opportunity was conducted through a restricted competitive grant process administered by the Community Grants Hub and Attorney-General's Department. The Attorney-General's Department anticipates the grant agreements will be negotiated by the end of 2025.
The awarding of the grants is just one part of the Government's work on preventing and addressing child sexual abuse and supporting victim survivors.
The 23 successful grant recipients include:
- Act for Kids Limited
- Australian Childhood Foundation
- Bravehearts Foundation Limited
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Inc
- Centacare South West NSW Ltd
- Creative Therapy Village Pty Ltd
- Desert Blue Connect Inc.
- Fairfield Community Resource Centre
- Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation
- Kornar Winmil Yunti Aboriginal Corporation
- MacKillop Family Services Limited
- Laurel House (North and North West Tasmania Sexual Assault Support Services Inc).
- Northern Rivers Community Gateway Incorporated
- Parkerville Children and Youth Care Incorporated
- Phoenix Support & Advocacy Service Inc.
- Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services Incorporated
- Relationships Australia South Australia Limited
- Rosebank Child Sexual Abuse Service Incorporated
- Sexual Assault Support Service Incorporated
- Tableland Sexual Assault Service (Tableland Rape and Incest Crisis Centre Inc).
- Sexual Health Quarters (The Family Planning Association of Western Australia Inc.)
- Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency Co-operative Limited
- Wide Bay Sexual Assault Service Incorporated
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"Protecting our children and young people from abuse in all its forms is a top priority of the Albanese Government.
"These vital grants are just one important part of our ongoing investment in targeted, evidence-based programs and reforms that provide critical support and intervention for those impacted by child sexual abuse.
"This funding will expand the capacity and capability of existing specialist and community support services to better support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, and children who have displayed concerning or harmful sexual behaviours.
"The Government will continue to work with states and territories and the sector to ensure that all children and young people are safe from harm, and victims and survivors are supported and empowered."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
"Children and young people that have experienced child sexual abuse deserve access to the specialised support they need.
"That's why we're proud to be expanding 23 child-centred, trauma-informed support services to help more survivors heal and recover.
"Helping children heal is one of the best ways we can stop the cycle of violence. All children deserve to grow up safe, happy and healthy."
Support is available
Reading about child sexual abuse can be confronting. Visit the National Office for Child Safety
