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Missed the live webinar? A captioned recording will be available to view in the coming days.
In this webinar, Dr Sophie Hallett from Cardiff University presented her research on caseworker perspectives on child sexual exploitation based on interviews with Australian caseworkers. The study aimed to fill a gap in Australian research and improve understanding of child sexual exploitation to help shape better policies and practices for effective prevention and intervention. Dr Hallett stressed the importance of having a clear, shared definition of child sexual exploitation that accounts for various forms of victimisation. She also emphasised the need for outreach and intensive support for young people in out-of-home care, focusing on strengthening connections, identifying and addressing unmet needs, and ensuring safety through consideration of placements and living circumstances. This includes allowing for the existence of multiple models of child sexual exploitation; using a shared language across different agencies; and improving existing systems to better support affected children.
The webinar also included a panel of experts from DCJ who discussed the research findings and lessons for policy and/or practice. They considered challenges and opportunities, emphasising the importance of child-centred, wellbeing-oriented approaches.
This webinar was chaired by Matthew Fusarelli, A/Executive Director FACSIAR, Department of Communities and Justice.
Understanding child sexual exploitation: Policy and practice implications
Download Dr Sophie Hallett's presentation slides (PDF, 343.0 KB)
16 Apr 2025