Professional support in keeping children safe from child sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse, (CSA) globally is far more prevalent than most people would think. In the 2024-25 financial year, the ACCCE, (Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation), Child Protection Triage Unit received 82,764 reports of child sexual exploitation. Each report related to images and videos of children being sexually assaulted or exploited. The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) 2023 report suggested 1 in 4 Australians have experienced CSA.

The Royal Commission into Institutional CSA recommendations included a national strategy to prevent CSA. Ongoing attempts are being made in all relevant sectors to try and reduce risks of CSA. This complex field would benefit from everyone who comes into contact with children to be educated on relevant issues relating to CSA. Many professional roles that are focused upon children may benefit from greater education and training. For example, those who recruit into roles where there is direct contact with children, may benefit from training not only in CSA but also on safer recruitment. The task of upskilling society will be ongoing as the risks will continue to be presented by individuals who pose a risk of CSA. At this time the numbers of children harmed show that too many who pose a risk of CSA are still able to easily gain the trust of others and continue to have regular contact and or care for children.

Keep Young Safe is committed to empowering parents, professionals, and anyone who has regular contact with children through high-quality education, training and assessment. Providing the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to recognise and respond to concerns relating to CSA, promote informed and proactive child safe responses, and contribute to creating safer environments where children can be protected from CSA.