Institute of Child Protection Studies

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH: We are seeking your support in recruiting families and/or caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities to take part in an online interview about healthcare support. The research is exploring perspectives of families or caregivers on sexual health and wellbeing education, the use of assessments, and the support provided or required for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.   This study is part of a larger study that is aimed at understanding and improving how people with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) understand and access support, education, services and assessment of their sexuality. We are looking to recruit any individual who experiences challenges with learning, communication, social and/or motor skills. This project will also explore how the sexual wellbeing of people with NDDs is assessed and supported by healthcare professionals. Earlier research indicates that existing sexual wellbeing assessments and support for people with NDDs is often limited, outdated, and/or potentially harmful. There appears to be a need for a revised assessment tool/s and for improved health professional support which seeks to better support the sexual wellbeing and safety of people with NDDs. The experiences and perspectives of parents and/or caregivers is however yet to be understood. This research is being conducted by Dr Claire Lynch, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University. Please see the flyer below for more information. - Link to participant information letter: https://lnkd.in/gQrZkfDV - Link to consent form: https://lnkd.in/gQrZkfDV - Contact [email protected] for further information. 

Congratulations to Monica Madzoska PhD Candidate Curtin University on her recent paper on gender diversity, based on data from the #ACMS study. Title of paper: “Child Maltreatment, Mental Health Disorders, and Health Risk Behaviors in People With Diverse Gender Identities” [https://lnkd.in/g3Zg22WN] This study examined rates of mental health disorders and health risk behaviors in people with diverse gender identities and associations with five types of child maltreatment. Mental disorders (major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder) and health risk behaviors (smoking, binge drinking, cannabis dependence, self-harm, and suicide attempt in the past 12 months) were assessed. Congratulations also to co-authors David Lawrence Daryl Higgins Divna Haslam PhD, MAICD Ben Mathews Eva Malacova Michael Dunne Holly Erskine Professor Rosana Pacella Franziska Meinck Hannah Thomas and James Scott #genderdiversity #lgbtq #maltreatment ARACY Families Australia Australian Institute of Family Studies National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse ANROWS

Our new report on Australia’s child justice approach calls for transformational change that puts child wellbeing first and addresses the root causes of offending by children. The treatment of children in the criminal justice system, some as young as 10 years old, is one of the most urgent human rights issues facing Australia. For too long governments have ignored the evidence that prevention, not punishment, is key to keeping our children and the community safe. We must have a nationally coordinated, child rights-based approach to reform. This is the key to safer communities for all. Read the full report and its recommendations: ‘Help way earlier!’ How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing: https://loom.ly/_A_P0PU #AusHumanRights

Sport - if you are involved you MUST take the time to join this webinar. It will be the best use of your time EVER.

The Catholic dioceses of Western Australia – Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton and Broome – yesterday issued a joint statement, acknowledging the release of a state parliamentary committee report on support for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. https://lnkd.in/gZQB2CwX

Gambling harm minimisation is vital to protect children. We are grateful to Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO) for publishing a collection of papers that highlight research supporting gambling reform. Young people are especially vulnerable to gambling advertising, which is in the spotlight as the current Federal Government considers whether to ban or partially ban advertising. This collection of research shows the harm on our population, notably the effect on children. Work by our Senior Fellow Associate Professor Aino Suomi is included - see the paper entitled Gambling harm experienced by children of parents who gamble. We also encourage you to read our website article on gambling and its harmful effect on children with links to other research and publications [https://lnkd.in/gDWYExST].

Thanks Emerging Minds Australia for featuring research by Lottie Harris and her paper - The prevalence and patterns of maltreatment, childhood adversity, and mental health disorders in an Australian #out-of-home care sample. It's a great summary of the background to this research topic, methodology, findings and implications for practice, e.g. holistic approaches that assume multiple types of maltreatment (more likely for those who have experienced OOHC); need to consider broader family and community factors that could impact the mental health of care-experienced individuals; and the need for proactive/early mental health interventions for young people experiencing or who have experienced #OOHC.

Recent findings show that while child abuse, maltreatment and neglect were unacceptably high in religious organisations in the past, the tide has now turned [https://lnkd.in/eAwRXbPU] What has changed? What is working now to give children a safer environment? What are you doing in your practice? If you are a leader in a religious organisation in Australia, we would love to hear about what is working for you. PhD Candidate Gabrielle Hunt at Institute of Child Protection Studies would like to hear from religious leaders to participate in important research about #safeguarding practices. This fascinating study is not limited to one #denomination. All views matter! If you hold a religious position at a religious organisation of any denomination such as Catholic, Anglican, Muslim, Judaism, Hindu, you are welcome to participate. The main criteria is having a direct role in supporting child-facing services. Roles include parish priest, youth group leader, chaplain (in schools or in other community services), rabbi, pastor, minister, swami/swamini etc. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gt9Bvba2 Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Uniting Church in Australia Uniting Church in Australia - Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Uniting Church in Australia - Synod of NSW and ACT Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod Uniting Church in Australia, Western Australia Uniting Church in South Australia THE BUSH CHURCH AID SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA Church Army Australia Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia Presbyterian Church of Australia Interfaith Church of Australia Lutheran Church of Australia Mayfield Baptist Church, Australia Church Support Australia Riverview Church Australia Elevation Church Australia

Recently Daryl Higgins spoke to Arna Delle-Vergini & William Wainwright from Best Interests Children's Law Podcast about the Australian Child Maltreatment Study. He outlined the findings and called for nationally coordinated public-health initiatives to prevent the maltreatment of children in Australia. Listen to the 45 min. podcast in the link below. #acms #childmaltreatment #childabuse

How can trauma-informed care be embedded in a security-focused youth justice system? How do care teams manage competing priorities and roles, to collaborate and ensure we recognise the trauma-related needs of children in detention? Come to our free panel discussion on August 15 with experts A/Prof Tim Moore, Joanne O'Connor, and Murray Robinson, to join the discussion on the latest research and best practices towards therapeutic care for children in Australian youth justice systems. Limited spots available, register now to secure your spot for the free panel discussion next Thursday! https://lnkd.in/gwQtXhmw