Please refer to additional resources within the ‘Care Leavers’ and ‘Trauma Informed Care’ pages of the resource library for additional information.
To learn more about institutional child sexual abuse in Australia
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2025) Family and sexual violence – child sexual abuse (includes information about Institional child abuse and the impacts of child maltreatment, including child sexual abuse) Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/types-of-violence/child-sexual-abuse#impacts
The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse aims is to build and strengthen the capability of workers and organisations in how they respond to and support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Their resource library includes a range of resources and is available from: https://nationalcentre.org.au/resources/. Of particular interest may be:
- In Conversation: Compassionate aged care for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse (Webinar). Available from: https://nationalcentre.org.au/resource/in-conversation-compassionate-aged-care-for-victims-and-survivors-of-child-sexual-abuse/
- Understanding and responding to adult’s disclosure of child sexual abuse. Available from: https://nationalcentre.org.au/resource/understanding-and-responding-to-adults-disclosure-of-child-sexual-abuse/
- Indicators and impacts of child sexual abuse. Available from: https://nationalcentre.org.au/resource/indicators-and-impacts-of-child-sexual-abuse/
- Legal insights: Guiding adult victims and survivors through Redress and compensation (Webinar). Available from: https://nationalcentre.org.au/resource/legal-insights-guiding-adult-victims-and-survivors-through-redress-and-compensation/
- In Conversation: What helps and what hinders healing after child sexual abuse? Perspective of those with lived experience (Webinar). Available from: https://nationalcentre.org.au/resource/in-conversation-what-helps-and-what-hinders-healing-after-child-sexual-abuse-perspectives-of-those-with-lived-experience/
Bravehearts’ resource library provides a range of resources about the prevalence, indicators and effects of child sexual abuse and how to best protect people. Of particular interest may be:
- Responding to an Adult’s disclosure of childhood sexual abuse. Available from: https://bravehearts.org.au/get-help/support-adult-survivors/responding-to-an-adults-disclosure/
- Disclosure of child sexual abuse. Available from: https://bravehearts.org.au/research-lobbying/stats-facts/disclosure-of-child-sexual-abuse/
- Prevalence of child sexual abuse. Available from: https://bravehearts.org.au/research-lobbying/stats-facts/prevalance-of-child-sexual-abuse/
BlueKnot’s resource library provides a range of resources about the experiences of complex trauma. It includes resources designed for community members and professionals. Of particular interest may be:
- Facts and figures. Available from: https://blueknot.org.au/resources/facts-and-figures/
- Trauma-Related Experiences fact sheets. Available from: https://blueknot.org.au/resources/blue-knot-fact-sheets/trauma-related-experiences/
- Responding to Adults disclosing child sexual abuse. Available from: https://blueknot.org.au/resources/blue-knot-fact-sheets/talking-about-trauma/responding-to-adults-disclosing-child-sexual-abuse/
Services and support available for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse
The following organisations provide education, resources and support for survivors:
- Bravehearts Information and Support Line 1800 272 831 – Bravehearts provides support for people affected by child sexual abuse. https://bravehearts.org.au/
- Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 390 The Blue Knot Foundation provides support for people affected by complex trauma due to violence. https://blueknot.org.au/
- Full Stop Australia (formerly Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia) supports people affected by sexual, domestic and family violence. From November 2021, 1800 FULL STOP is a national, free call number which directs callers to a suitable helpline operated by Full Stop Australia, including the National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service, the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service, the Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline, and the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline. https://fullstop.org.au/
- knowmore assists survivors of child sexual abuse by providing free legal advice and support regarding justice and redress options (including the National Redress Scheme). https://knowmore.org.au/
- Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) is an Australian organisation for male survivors of child sexual abuse – https://www.samsn.org.au/
- 13YARN Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support (24 hours) 13 92 76 https://www.13yarn.org.au/
- 1800RESPECT is Australia’s national counselling, information and support service for people affected or at risk of family, domestic and sexual violence, their family and friends and frontline workers. In addition, the Daisy app was developed by 1800RESPECT to connect people experiencing violence to services in their local area – https://www.1800respect.org.au/
- The National Redress Scheme is for people who experienced child sexual abuse while in an institution. The Scheme helps people access redress and can connect them to free confidential Redress Support Services. Further information is available from: https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/
