Theme 2: Supporting and empowering victims and survivors
This content was initially created in 2022. Some information may no longer be current including titles of Ministers and Commonwealth Government Departments. You can find a list of current appointments on the Directory website.
The language we use has also changed from the initial terminology in the National Strategy. For a full list of the terminology we use, see our Glossary of terms page.
The effects of child sexual abuse can be cumulative, complex and long-lasting.
It can affect people’s:
- mental and physical health
- relationships
- sexual identity, gender identity and sexual behaviour
- spiritual and cultural connection
- education
- employment
- financial security.
You can learn more about the impacts of child sexual abuse in institutional contexts on the Royal Commission website.
Victims and survivors need access to trauma-informed help from a range of services during their lives and as their needs change. People that help them may also need support, such as:
- secondary victims
- family members, kin and carers
- witnesses to the abuse
- teachers and other school workers – including student support officers.
The focus of government measures
Trauma-informed services can improve victims and survivors’ wellbeing and quality of life. They can also help interrupt cycles of trauma.
Measures under this theme will:
- promote and support accessible, high-quality, trauma-informed and culturally safe support services
- include a range of services to make sure help is available throughout people’s lives and as their needs change
- support healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors, their families, kin and community
- increase support for non-offending family members of child sexual abuse perpetrators
- share information and encourage collaboration across and within states and territories.
Working closely with the non-government sector
The non-government sector plays an important role in delivering support services. Australian, state and territory governments will continue to work with the non-government sector to make sure Australia’s services:
- are holistic
- work together
- are accessible
- meet the needs of victims and survivors.
The measures
7. Deliver a website and helpline to assist victims and survivors to access help and information
Overview
The website and helpline will help victims and survivors, professionals and the general public to get information and resources. It will also provide referrals to local support services. Trained staff will provide trauma-informed, culturally safe and accessible advice. They will be able to provide it in a way that meets people’s diverse needs.
Royal Commission recommendation
Recommendations 9.1 and 9.5 from the Final Report
Lead Australian Government Department
National Office for Child Safety
8. Deliver a trauma-aware, healing-informed and culturally appropriate resource to improve early disclosure experiences of, and access to specialist services for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors
Overview
The National Indigenous Australians Agency will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts to design and trial a resource to support frontline health workers. The resource will support trauma-aware, healing-informed and culturally safe conversations where victims and survivors can share their experiences. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream services will be able to use the resource.
Royal Commission recommendation
Recommendation 9.2 from the Final Report
Lead Australian Government Department
National Indigenous Australians Agency
9. Enhance legislative protections for vulnerable witnesses
Overview
This measure will strengthen protections for vulnerable witnesses giving evidence in criminal proceedings for child sexual abuse-related Commonwealth offences.
Royal Commission recommendation
Recommendations 52, 54 and 60 from the Criminal Justice Report
Lead Australian Government Department
Attorney-General’s Department
10. Set up a national support service for non-offending family members of child sexual abuse perpetrators
Overview
The national support service will provide support and advocacy for non-offending family members of child sexual abuse perpetrators. The service will also work with enforcement agencies to support how officers engage with secondary victims.
Royal Commission recommendation
Recommendation 9.1 from the Final Report
Lead Australian Government Department
National Office for Child Safety
11. Share opportunities to improve child witness interviewing
Overview
Through the relevant national law enforcement working group, Australian, state and territory government agencies will, where appropriate, share best practice approaches to child witness interviewing. They will also consider opportunities for greater national consistency in line with those practices.
Royal Commission recommendation
Recommendation 9 from the Criminal Justice Report
Lead Australian Government Department
Australian Federal Police