SUBMISSION

National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: National Office for Child Safety

This submission directly responds to the final consultation paper of the National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse (the National Strategy).   

This submission draws upon ANROWS research and other peer-reviewed work to respond to the following questions:

• Do the proposed vision and objective reflect our aim and what success should look like under the National Strategy?
• Do the proposed values reflect the values that should be guiding our work under the National Strategy?
• Do these strategic priority themes reflect the areas of focus for Australia over the life of the First National Action Plan and First Commonwealth Action Plan under the National Strategy (i.e. 2021–2025)?
• What are the best ways for Australian, state and territory governments to listen to, engage and collaborate with diverse people and groups? Are there any groups that are missing?
• What are the priority themes that are most relevant to the group that your organisation represents?

Addressing these questions, the submission suggests the following:

• Emphasise the importance of viewing children as victims and survivors of domestic and family violence in their own right
• Prioritising the use of evidence-based initiatives and improving the evidence base
• Strengthening the importance of early intervention in the National Strategy’s values
• Working in partnership with stakeholders, including victims and survivors of domestic and family violence.

Suggested citation

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2021). Re: National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse – Final Consultation Paper [Submission]. ANROWS.