Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
Minister for the Public Service,
Special Minister of State
The Australian Government is inviting experts, advocates and people with lived experience to help drive its ongoing commitment to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.
A National Strategy Advisory Group and a National Clinical Reference Group are being established to provide regular advice on the implementation of Australia's first National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben Morton, said the two groups will play a key role in implementing the National Strategy.
"The design, implementation and evaluation of the National Strategy should be informed by a diverse range of expertise and views," Minister Morton said.
"We want a diverse representation on the National Strategy Advisory Group. We are calling on expressions of interest from people of varied backgrounds and experiences to take part."
The National Clinical Reference Group will support governments' work to enhance national approaches to children with harmful sexual behaviours.
"It's important we get this right. We want evidence-based advice as our children deserve to live in a society where they are protected and supported."
The National Strategy is a 10-year, whole-of-nation framework recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It is the first of its kind in Australia and establishes a coordinated, nationally consistent approach to preventing and better responding to child sexual abuse in all settings.
The National Office for Child Safety is overseeing implementation of the National Strategy and is committed to consultation with non-government stakeholders over the strategy's lifetime.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the National Strategy Advisory Group close on 24 March 2022. Individuals from non-government organisations, academic institutions, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, advocates, children and young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQA+ people, people living in regional and remote communities, and people with disability are encouraged to express their interest in the Group.
The EOI for the National Clinical Reference Group close on 24 March 2022. Health professionals, clinicians and academics with relevant expertise are encouraged to express their interest in the Group.
