National Strategy Second Action Plan

The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030 Second Action Plan

The Australian Government is committed to strong action on child sexual abuse, and all forms of family, domestic and sexual violence. We recognise the importance of hearing from communities across the nation to stop the cycle of abuse and help victims and survivors to heal.

Throughout 2026, all Australians will have the opportunity to tell governments what needs to happen next to keep children safe from abuse and best support victims and survivors.

National progress to prevent child sexual abuse and support victims and survivors

In response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Australian Government developed the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030 (National Strategy). The National Strategy is the first of its kind in Australia. It provides a nationally coordinated, strategic framework for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.

Significant progress has been achieved since 2021.

• Conversations about child sexual abuse have been brought out of the shadows and critical services have been funded and delivered to stop offending before it occurs and provide supports for victims and survivors.
• We have worked with organisations to build child safe cultures, supported specialist workforces to respond to children who display harmful sexual behaviours and delivered international capacity building.
• Essential data is now available about the prevalence of child sexual abuse, and we have the capability to monitor the impact of government action.

We know there is more to be done. The prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse mean we need ongoing efforts to keep children and young people safe.

Engaging Australia on the Second Action Plan

Work is currently progressing to develop the National Strategy's Second Action Plan. The development of a Second Action Plan is an opportunity to address known and emerging challenges, and community concerns and priorities.

The Australian Government has already engaged a variety of groups to hear about priority areas for the Second Action Plan. We have heard that governments should:

• empower victims and survivors and their support networks
• improve responses to children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviours
• build skilled and safe workforces
• address online child sexual abuse and online harms
• prevent offending before it occurs and strengthen offender detection and response.

The Second Action Plan will continue the work already started under the National Strategy and introduce new activities in recognition of the emerging issues and new research since the start of the First Action Plans. We acknowledge that many people have already contributed to the development of the Second Action Plan so far.

At the same time, work is underway on related action plans, including:

• the Second Action Plan for the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032
• the Second Action Plan for Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021–2031 (Safe and Supported)
• the Second Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan under Safe and Supported
• the First Action Plan for Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026–2036.

We are designing these action plans to work together. This is crucial, as people affected by violence often deal with many overlapping services at the same time – such as health, justice, housing and community services. They may have experienced multiple forms of abuse or be living with the lasting impacts of past abuse.

Learn more about action plans related to family, domestic and sexual violence at 
engage.dss.gov.au.

Consultation opportunities

We want to make sure the Second Action Plan improves outcomes for everyone, and that all voices can be heard.

A variety of consultations will take place over the coming months. Your input will help us develop a Second Action Plan aimed at keeping children and young people safe from sexual abuse and supporting victims and survivors.

We will share more information once the consultation process begins. Stay up to date on consultation opportunities by visiting our Get involved page and subscribing to the consultation mailing list.