Submission to Royal Commission: Response to complaints of child sexual abuse

This 2016 submission is the APS response to the Royal Commission’s Consultation Paper: Best practice principles in responding to complaints of child sexual abuse in institutional contexts.

The submission focuses on the need for a strong and effective process for handling ‘complaints’ of child sexual abuse occurring in institutional contexts. It recommends that the process be supported by an educational curriculum that includes prevention strategies for children, young people and staff working in such institutions, with a strong emphasis on institutional culture.

The submission discusses and demonstrates how psychologists are well placed to advise schools and institutions about child-centred policies, creating cultures that encourage reporting, and facilitating conversations and cultures where children are listened to when they disclose.

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