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Australian Childhood Foundation, Blue Knot and the Healing Foundation partner to establish a new National Centre for the prevention of child sexual abuse.

In recognition of the third anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, we are proud that the Commonwealth Government has named Australian Childhood Foundation,  Blue Knot Foundation and the Healing Foundation as the consortium selected to establish and run a new National Centre for the prevention of child sexual abuse.

It is a significant investment for the Commonwealth Government to commit $22.5 million over the next five years to fund the operations of the National Centre.

The National Centre will give voice to the experiences of survivors of all ages, life stages and communities. It will work in collaboration with major research institutions in Australia, representatives from state and commonwealth governments, service providers, schools, and law enforcement agencies.

Dr Joe Tucci, CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, and inaugural Chair of the Board of the National Centre is certain the National Centre is a once in a generation opportunity to strengthen the ways that the community understands and takes action to protect children and young people from sexual abuse.

“There is so much for us to learn about how to improve the way we support survivors of child sexual abuse. The trauma they carry needs to be recognised and validated in order for real healing to occur. The Australian Childhood Foundation is so proud to be working alongside our partner organisations to realise the vision of the Centre.”

Dr Cathy Kezelman AM, President of Blue Knot Foundation, National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma said the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual was a watershed time for our country, as for the very first time, survivors of institutional child sexual abuse were listened to, heard, and believed.

Fiona Cornforth, CEO of The Healing Foundation said the National Centre will be informed by our work in the space which allows us to be led by the knowledge, experiences, and wisdom of Stolen Generations survivors who have pioneered and led strengths-based approaches to get people out of places of distress and on healing pathways.

Full Media Release