Offending prevention and intervention
With 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys having experienced child sexual abuse, this is a growing crime that continues to harm too many children, families and communities. Preventing abuse before it occurs is essential to keeping children safe.
The Australian Government is committed to implementing evidence‑based and effective measures to address this issue. Theme 4 of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 includes measures that focus on perpetrators and offending prevention. These measures target those who have a sexual interest in children or young people. They are also aimed at offenders who are opportunistic or situational and may not have a fixed sexual interest in children and young people.
These measures strengthen our criminal justice response and include early intervention and management programs for potential and existing offenders. Find out more about work we are leading to prevent offending below.
Australia’s first national child sexual abuse offending prevention service
We launched Australia’s first national child sexual abuse offending prevention service in April 2026. It is designed to prevent child sexual abuse before it occurs. We developed the service in response to Recommendation 6.2 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse and National Action Plan Measure 21 of the National Strategy.
The Stop It Now! Australia service provides advice and guidance on how people can learn to manage unwanted feelings and stop harmful or offending behaviour towards children. It also contains guidance for those concerned about another adult’s behaviour.
The service is based on successful international models and is supported by law enforcement, academics and clinicians. Building on the learnings and outcomes of the pilot program operated in Australia by Jesuit Social Services in the past, this approach helps service users take meaningful action to reduce harm and keep children safe.
The service is free and anonymously accessible through a national helpline, website and online self-help modules. Individuals from all states and territories can now access the service by calling 1800 01 1800 or visiting the Stop It Now! Australia website.
Who the service supports
The Stop It Now! Australia helpline supports:
- anyone worried about their own thoughts or feelings towards children
- anyone worried about their own online or offline behaviour towards children
- anyone worried about someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children
- anyone worried about a child or a young person who may have been sexually abused or exploited.
The service also supports professionals seeking advice, including those who:
- support someone who is concerned about their own behaviour
- support someone who is impacted by someone else’s thoughts or behaviours towards children
- work with children and are worried about warning signs of abuse
- work with victims and/or survivors of child sexual abuse.
Contact Stop It Now! Australia
Website: Stop It Now! Australia
Online self-help modules: Get Help! Australia
Helpline: 1800 01 1800
Opening hours*:
Monday 10am – 4pm (AEST/AEDT)
Tuesday 1pm – 7pm (AEST/AEDT)
Wednesday 10am – 4pm (AEST/AEDT)
Thursday 10am – 4pm (AEST/AEDT)
*Opening hours may vary on public holidays.