Australian Centre for Child Protection

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Australian Centre for Child Protection | LinkedIn Australian Centre for Child Protection | 3,706 followers on LinkedIn. Australia's premier research centre for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. | The Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP) at Adelaide University is Australia’s premier research centre for preventing and respondi...

Join us for the 21st annual Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) Oration to be presented by Professor Leah Bromfield on Have we got it wrong? The public health approach and child protection.

Thursday 16 October, 6.00-8.00pm, Napier 102 lecture theatre, Napier building, 1st floor, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace.

Since the early 2000s, the public health approach has been heralded as the key framework to inform systemic responses to abuse and neglect and address demand pressures on child protection – but have we got this right? Professor Leah Bromfield will discuss the application – and misapplication – of the public health approach, and practical ways forward to realise the intent of a transformed approach to child protection.

OUR ORATOR
Professor Leah Bromfield, Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia.

Professor Leah Bromfield is an internationally recognised leader in the field of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse and issues affecting child protection systems. Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection, she is routinely called upon to provide advice to governments and as a Commissioner has led a state Inquiry. She currently Chairs the Tasmanian Uplifting Care Independent Expert Panel and South Australian Child Protection Expert Group, and Co-Chairs the National Advisory Group for the National Strategy for Child Sexual Abuse. The impacts of her research have been profound with lasting national and international changes to law, policy, and practice. Leah is the 2025 Australian of the Year for South Australia.

OUR CHAIR
Professor Carol Maher (HDA Co-Convenor), Professor of Population and Digital Health, Medical Research Future Fund Investigator / Director of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia.

Networking and light refreshments will follow the session from 7pm.

Register now on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/have-we-got-it-wrong-the-public-health-approach-and-child-protection

The Australian Centre for Child Protection is deeply honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, as our new Patron.
ACCP Director Professor Leah Bromfield met the Governor-General when visiting Canberra for the Australian of the Year Awards in January. “Speaking with the Governor-General it was evident she was passionate about the safety and wellbeing of children and supporting families, as was His Excellency Mr Simeon Beckett SC,” she said.

“We have since discussed the epidemic of child abuse and neglect in Australia, and the importance of a transformative approach that prioritises help and care, particularly in the context of our most vulnerable children and families.”

The Governor-General said she was delighted to accept the ACCP’s invitation to serve as Patron. “Child abuse and neglect is one of the most confronting issues in our society, which is why the work of the Australian Centre for Child Protection is so important.”
“One of the roles of a Governor-General is to connect with and listen to Australians, to hear what is good and bad and to reflect that back to our community. I look forward to supporting the Australian Centre for Child Protection in highlighting issues affecting children and families, and the hope that lies in evidence-based solutions developed for and by Australians.”

The ACCP is delighted by how the patronage can help amplify their efforts across the community having heard the Governor-General speak about the importance of care and the many ways it manifests – through inclusive workplaces, in a renewed focus on mental health, celebrating cultural, sexual and gender diversity in all its forms, and treating the most vulnerable members of our community with kindness, respect and dignity.
“Across my career, I have seen how care can be an uplifting force, and I am proud to be Patron of an organisation dedicated to the best possible care of our nation’s children,” the Governor-General said.

University of South Australia
Governor-General of Australia

Last night was the Lord Mayor’s Civic Reception, celebrating the SA Australians of the Year 2025 including our own Prof Leah Bromfield

Tomorrow our webinar on Empowering Young People’s Lives Beyond Out-of-Home-Care (OOHC) will go live.

There’s still time to sign up for the free session, to hear from experts including ACCP Deputy Director Research, Professor Melissa O'Donnell, who will be speaking on improving support for care leavers, and the work of the Home Stretch campaign.

Register for the free webinar and see other presenters here: https://events.humanitix.com/accp-oohc-transition-webinar

A recording of the webinar will be available to watch afterwards on the ACCP's YouTube channel.


University of South Australia

Being able to look at the bigger picture to see patterns and problems – and help find solutions – is why longitudinal data research is so important.

Dr Miriam Maclean is a Research Fellow whose current focus is developmental outcomes among children involved in the child protection system. She uses linked data from Government departments for Child Protection, Health, Corrective Services and Education across several Australian states to examine the outcomes and trajectories of maltreated children.

She is one of the speakers in our webinar on Empowering Young People’s Lives Beyond Out-of-Home-Care (OOHC) coming up on Wednesday, July 23, and will talk about the developmental pathways of children who have experienced OOHC, from pre-birth influences through to adulthood.

Register for the free webinar and see other presenters here: https://events.humanitix.com/accp-oohc-transition-webinar


University of South Australia

A chance for those in SA to hear ACCP Director Professor Leah Bromfield and Deputy Director Practice Amanda Paton expand on our latest research around harmful sexual behaviours, including the need to move from a risk focus to one that enhances safety and wellbeing.

Preventing and responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviours in children and young people: Promising practice Please join us for the Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) and Department for Child Protection forum on Harmful Sexual Behaviours.

ACCP will host an Empowering Young People’s Lives Beyond Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Webinar on Wednesday, July 23.

Hear insights into our research aimed at empowering young people through their transition from OOHC, with data analysis and findings, and policy and practice recommendations.

The 90-minute presentation will feature Deputy Director Research Prof Melissa O'Donnell, Dr Miriam Maclean, Dr Fadzai Chikwava and Renée Usher as well as a panel discussion with an industry partner and a care leaver with lived experience.

The webinar is provided at no cost, but please register: https://www.unisa.edu.au/research/australian-centre-for-child-protection/news/oohc-transition-webinar/

12:30-2pm AEST, 12-1:30pm ACST, 10:30am-12pm AWST on Wednesday, July 23


University of South Australia

All are welcome to join 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, Kids Helpline CEO Tracy Adams and other panellists at the Luna Palace Cinemas Leederville in Perth for the screening of Such a Resounding Silence, a powerful and inspiring French film that confronts the subject of in**st and showcases the incredible resilience and courage of survivors.

The CorriLee Foundation and the No Laughing Matter Podcast Series present the groundbreaking film, to be followed by a conversation with allies, activists and panellists on this taboo topic, which is all too often shrouded in silence, shame and stigma.

The screening is on Tuesday, June 10. Tickets are $30 and include pre-movie pizza. See trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEf77e7vIFo
Book tickets: https://lunapalace.com.au/films/such-a-resounding-silence

As an ambassador for the University of South Australia Time Capsule, ACCP Director Professor Leah Bromfield has shared this photo book of our 20th birthday celebrations last year.
It includes this 2014 photograph of some of the team – spot the familiar faces!

The Time Capsule will become a collection of curated photos, memorabilia and stories to celebrate UniSA’s achievements, history and culture across teaching, learning, research, community activity and campus life. This people’s history will capture experiences from every corner of UniSA’s community – from students, alumni, donors and supporters to teaching academics, researchers and professional staff – to curate and preserve our University’s past.

To contribute, or just reminisce, visit the Time Capsule here https://lnkd.in/gWGCvnuE

(Back from left: Mary Salveron, Stewart McDougall, Jenna Meiksans, Rachael Grauwelman-Smith, Olivia Octoman; front from left, Leah Bromfield, Fiona Arney and Kate Greenfield)

Yesterday ACCP Director Leah Bromfield and Centre Manager Lisa McDonald enjoyed a private meeting with Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC at Government House.

They discussed the epidemic of child abuse and neglect in Australia, and that our child protection systems - designed in the 1960s - are outdated and not designed for the contemporary nature and scale of the problem.

They spoke at length with the Governor-General about the importance of an approach that prioritised help and caring in the context of our most vulnerable children and families.