The Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP) has launched a Western Australian arm of its national program which focuses on supporting, training and research for children who have been sexually abused or are displaying harmful sexual behaviours.
The ACCP is a national research centre within the University of South Australia and has been leading the way in research, evaluation, policy and practice for over 17 years.
According to the Centre, its WA branch will be known as the Australian Centre for Child Protection – Western Australia (ACCP-WA) and will conduct research to help develop policy that safeguards WA children.
It said a program of work had already been established, focusing on research and translating research into practice to improve responses to harmful sexual behaviours.
“This will improve the State’s capability to intervene safely and effectively when children display these behaviours,” the APPC said.
According to the Minister for Child Protection, Simone McGurk, ACCP-WA will elevate the scope and scale of support available to local children displaying harmful sexual behaviours.
“The first priority for the ACCP-WA will be to give both practitioners and families more information on what sexual behaviour is age appropriate and what requires specialist intervention,” Ms McGurk said,
“It will also assist building the evidence on effective interventions,” she said.
“It is critical we provide trauma-informed responses for children and young people who have experienced harm. By bridging the gap between evidence and practice, we can help ensure better outcomes for vulnerable children and establish safer environments.”
Ms McGurk commended Professor Leah Bromfield and the ACCP’s leadership team for their critical role in enhancing the quality and availability of evidence-based supports for at-risk children in Western Australia.
“The McGowan Government is committed to implementing all recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and the establishment of the ACCP-WA is another important step in achieving that goal,” Ms McGurk said.
At its launch, ACCP-WA said it recognised the significant WA team delivering local outcomes and raising the profile of WA experts on the national stage.
“It represents another key milestone in WA’s 10-year implementation plan in responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse,” ACCP-WA said.
