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These links have a geographic
bias to Australia, but also contain key international sites.
All links have been visited and chosen on the basis of their
content and many are good starting points for locating other
Australian and international sites concerned with child abuse prevention, child
protection and out-of-home care.
Australia | International | Africa | Asia and the Pacific | Europe | The Americas
Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)
http://www.asca.org.au
ASCA is a national non profit organisation for both men and women dedicated to serving the needs of adult survivors of child abuse. ASCA's goal is to break the silence surrounding child abuse and thereby ending the cycle of abuse for the benefit of the next generation. The key roles of ASCA are advocacy, education and support. Services include: compilation of therapist referral list; regular meetings; and comprehensive library of books and articles available for loan to members.
Austcare
http://www.austcare.org.au/ourwork/protection.aspx
Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ANZATSA)
http://www.anzatsa.org/
The Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers is dedicated to community protection and safety, through the promotion of professional standards, practices and education in sex offender management, treatment, assessment and research.
Australian Childhood Foundation
http://www.childhood.org.au
Australian Childhood Foundation (formerly known as Australians Against Child Abuse) aims to promote children's right by providing education, lobbying, advocacy and information exchange, policy input, direct service delivery and training. The organisation offers specialist and innovative therapy and assessment services to abused children and their families. It also provides an education and consultation program to community professionals working in the field of child abuse and family violence.
Australian Council for Children & Youth Organisations
http://www.accyo.org.au/index_flash.htm
The Australian Council was established in 2001 with the goal of developing standards and a transparent accreditation process for organisations working with children and young people. The Council is an initiative of some of Australia's leading philanthropic trusts and foundations, in partnership with community service organisations, the Police, Magistrates and the Judiciary.
Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse
http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/
The Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, established in October 1999, is a national resource on issues of domestic and family violence. It provides a central point for the collection and dissemination of Australian domestic and family violence policy, practice and research. The Clearinghouse also provides information on international efforts to end these forms of violence. It aims to meet the information needs of government agencies, generalist and specialist service providers, researchers and interested members of the public.
Australian National Disability Abuse and Neglect
Hotline
http://www.
disabilityhotline.org/index.html
The Australian National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline is an Australia-wide telephone hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disabilities using government funded services. Its services are used by people of all ages including children. Reports of abuse are referred to the appropriate authority for investigation. It also contains useful links to other related organisations and services.
Bullying in Schools
http://www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying/
The Bullying in Schools is a site which provides information on available resources concerned with bullying in schools in Australia. The purpose of these pages is to provide information that will help people to understand more about bullying in schools and how it can be stopped. It is of special interest to educators, children and parents.
Bursting the Bubble
http://www.burstingthebubble.com/
This is a new website for teenagers who are living with family violence - witnessing domestic violence, experiencing physical or sexual abuse or neglect. It provides information to help young people identify forms of abuse and violence in families, stories, answers to questions about telling professionals or child protection, ideas on dealing with feelings, safety planning, services available, and how to help a friend.
CACET
http://www.cacetaustralia.com.au/
Child Abuse Consultancy Education and Training (CACET) offers a wide range of seminars designed to equip professionals and volunteers who work with children to manage and appropriately respond to suspicions of, or disclosures of, child maltreatment throughout Australia and the Asia/Pacific region. Its primary goal is to protect children from all forms of abuse and sexual exploitation.
Catholic Welfare Australia
http://www.catholicwelfare.com.au/home
Catholic Welfare Australia replaced the Australian Catholic Social Welfare Commission and Centacare Australia. It is the national peak body representing the Catholic welfare agencies that operate under the auspice of Catholic archbishops and bishops in dioceses throughout Australia. Agencies provide over 60 different counselling, education, welfare, and support programs and operate from in excess of 90 established centres and venues.
Child Wise Australia (formerly ECPAT: Ending Child Prostitution,
Pornography and Trafficking)
http://www.childwise.net/
In September 2001 ECPAT Australia was incorporated into a new organisation called Child Wise, which is part of a global network of organisations working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child sex tourism, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
Children of Parents with a Mental llness
http://www.copmi.net.au/cpj/index.html
Children of Parents with a Mental llness provides information relevant to workers in the Child Protection and Justice fields when working with families where a parent has a mental illness.
Children's Protection Society (CPS)
http://www.cps.org.au/
CPS began in 1896, and was responsible for investigating and reporting on child abuse and neglect until welfare policy and legislative reform in 1985 resulted in changes to its role, but not to its ultimate objective: the reduction of child abuse and neglect. The CPS is responsible for a number of family support programs.
Create Foundation
Formerly Australian
Association of Young People in Care (AAYPIC) and NSW State
Network of Young People in Care (SNYPIC)
http://www.create.org.au/
Create Foundation aims to support and improve the opportunities for children and young people in care. Create runs programs and services to: connect children and young people to each other and their communities build skills and resources for children and young people in care, and change the care system from the inside out through the participation of children and young people themselves.
Defence for Children International Australia
http://www.dci-au.org/
The Australian Section of Defence for Children International is the local link in a global chain of children's rights agencies recognised by the United Nations. The Convention on the Rights of the Child focuses on people under 18 years of age. It sets out the principles which guide DCI's actions and campaigns: children's rights to protection, provision, promotion and participation.
Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse
http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/
The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse is a collaborative partnership between the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) and the Attorney General's Department of NSW (AGD), and is endorsed by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. The Clearinghouse is a national resource on Indigenous justice, and aims to promote discussion and disseminate relevant Indigenous justice information to government policy makers and those working in the Indigenous justice field.
Kids First Foundation
http://www.kidsfirst.com.au/
Kids First Foundation is a national charity that raises funds to help Australia's abused and neglected children and young people. Funds raised by Kids First Foundation are used to: support services that assist children and young people to recover from the pain and damage caused by abuse and neglect; fund national research to prevent child abuse; support public and professional education programs; advocate for all children and young people to be safe and cared for; and raise awareness about child abuse.
Kids Help Line
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/
Kids Help Line provides professional counselling service accessible to all Australian children; facilitates more productive relationships with parents, teachers and care givers; advocates on behalf of children and young people where their interests are ignored or unrepresented; and provides information on support services in the caller's local area.
Lawstuff
http://www.lawstuff.org.au/
Lawstuff is an initiative of the National Children's and Youth Law Centre, an independent, non-profit organisation working for all Australians under the age of 25, which aims to to improve the conditions and opportunities of Australian children and young people.
Lifeline's Just Look
http://www.justlook.org.au/
Lifeline's Just Look is an online national database of health and community services offered throughout Australia. It is a free, confidential 24 hour service available online.
Mensline Australia
http://www.menslineaus.org.au/
Mensline Australia is a dedicated service for men with relationship and family concerns. It is a national telephone counselling, information and referral service.
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse
and Neglect (NAPCAN)
http://www.napcan.org.au/
NAPCAN works for the prevention of all forms of child abuse and neglect and towards greater community awareness of child abuse and neglect as a major issue facing our nation. Services include: provision of community education material which has universal application utilised by government departments, agencies, community groups, schools, hospitals and police; biannual national conference with a prevention focus; and initiation and national coordination of National Child Protection Week (held annually). There are separate offices in each state.
National Children's and Youth Law Centre
http://www.ncylc.org.
au/navabout.htm
The NCYLC is the only national legal centre dedicated to addressing human rights issues for children and young people through legal change. The role of the organisation is to: promote and protect children's and young people's rights; advocate for legal and policy reform affecting children and young people; and promote research and information dissemination on children's rights and legal issues. Services include: individual legal information and advice for children and young people; policy submissions and advocacy; research and discussion paper publications (at a small cost); newsletter (available on subscription); and reference library.
NetAlert
http://www.netalert.gov.au/
NetAlert has been created to advise the community on safe use of the internet. It aims to play an important and practical role by providing education, advice and support to parents which will assist them to manage their children's time online.
Raising Children Network
http://www.raisingchildren.net.au/
The Raising Children Network website provides practical tools and up-to-date information on child health, safety, nutrition, learning, parental wellbeing, family management and kids' activities. The website caters to fathers, mothers, grandparents and anyone else caring for children. It also speaks to teachers, child care workers, general practitioners, human resource departments, and others working with families and children.
Save the Children
http://www.
savethechildren.org.au
Save the Children aims to ensure all children, regardless of gender, race, country of origin or religious belief have the means of survival, receive protection and have access to nutrition, primary health care and basic education. It works for a world that respects and values each child, that listens to children and learns, and where all children have hope and opportunity.
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
http://www.snaicc.asn.au/
SNAICC is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Its mission is to provide a strong voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families through a national body which represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services and promotes the rights, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
State and Territory Departments
Responsible for Protecting Children
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/resources/state.html
This list provides information on Australian State and Territory Departments responsible for issues dealing with child protection.
Care and Protection Services, Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services
http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/services/care_and_protection
Care and Protection services is responsible for facilitating coordination across government for the care and protection of children and young people. Care and Protection services and an After Hours service, provide a continuum of service delivery to children and young people considered 'at risk' of serious harm.
Institute of Child Protection Studies
http://www.acu.edu.au/research/flagships/icps
The Institute of Child Protection Studies is a partnership between the ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services and Australian Catholic University (Canberra Campus). It aims to promote and enhance the safety and well being of children, young people and families through quality research, training and community education.
Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Inc
(ACWA)
http://www.acwa.asn.au/
The Association is a peak (umbrella) organisation for non government welfare service providers to children and young people and their families. The Association undertakes projects on child and adolescent welfare; publishes a newsletter and occasional Issues Papers; and advocates for better quality of care available to 'at risk' dependent children and young persons who need substitute care in the state of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Barnardos Australia
http://www.barnardos.org.au/
Barnardos is a non denominational, non government welfare organisation which aims to prevent and reverse the effects of abuse, neglect and homelessness on children and young people.
Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS)
http://www.childabuseprevention.com.au/
The aim of the Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) is to alleviate child abuse in all its forms and to prevent morbidity through the support of those persons who are abusing or are at risk of abusing children. The program contributes to the understanding of child abuse and to changing the community's attitude towards it. CAPS is a non profit making organisation and provides 24 hour crisis support for its clients. It provides counselling and ongoing support for victims, families and perpetrators in the child sexual assault area. Assistance is provided in the training of medical, nursing, social work and welfare students by lecture, seminar and placement and of secondary students by lecture.
Criminal Justice Research Network
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/Lawlink/executive/ll_cjrn.nsf/pages/cjrn_index
The Network was initiated in 2004 by the Standing Committee of Criminal Justice System Chief Executive Officers to promote evidence-based policy making across the justice sector. The Network actively disseminates research and conducts a series of research seminars, along with a coordinated approach to justice sector research. The website includes information on forthcoming projects, and justice research and data in NSW.
NSW Commission for Children and Young People
http://kids.nsw.gov.au/
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People was established as an independent organisation reporting directly to the Parliament of New South Wales to listen to children and young people and to promote their interests. The Commission has three main priorities that guide its work: to increase the participation of children and young people in making decisions that affect their lives; to promote the safety and welfare of children and young people; and to strengthen the important relationships in the lives of children and young people and improve their well being.
Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG)
http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/
The Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) is a government department set up to promote the best interests and rights of children and young people in out-of-home care in NSW. The OCG promotes the best interests of all children and young persons in out-of-home care, ensures the rights of all children and young persons in out-of-home care are safeguarded and promoted, and accredits designated agencies and to monitor their responsibilities under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 and the regulations.
Protective Behaviours Consultancy Group of NSW
Inc
http://www.protective-behaviours.org.au/
Protective Behaviours is a living skills program which enables people of all ages to develop strategies to help them deal with all forms of difficult situations. As a safety program it can also be used as a non threatening method of looking at more specific areas such as child abuse and domestic violence. This organisation provides training across NSW and also provides and develops resources for the implementation of the Protective Behaviours program.
Northern Territory Families Website
http://www.families.nt.gov.au/asp/index.asp
This site is for Northern Territory families who are bringing up children. There is a separate section on issues dealing with child protection
Department of Health and Community Services
Family
and Children's Services (FACS) Program
http:
//www.nt.gov.au/health/comm_svs/facs/facs.shtml
The FACS Program provides a range of services that address issues such as the protection and care of children and the improvement of individual and family well being.
Protective Behaviours Consultancy
http://www.edsite.com.au/
pbwa/
Protective Behaviours encourages people to identify and deal with potentially unsafe or risky situations such as: being home alone; verbal, physical, sexual or emotional abuse; sexual harassment; bullying; and domestic violence. It provides people with strategies to keep themselves safe and cope with situations that threaten their well being.
Abused Child Trust
http://www.
abusedchildtrust.com.au
The major function of this Trust is to provide a specialist clinical program to address the needs of abused children and their families. Attached to this is a research program set up specifically to evaluate their clinical program. The Trust is also involved in advocacy and government lobbying and liaison, education and training. Services include infant and toddler program; early childhood program; and individual, couple and family therapy services.
Commission for Children and Young People and Child
Guardian
http://www.childcomm.qld.
gov.au
The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian promotes and protects the rights, interests and wellbeing of all Queenslanders under 18. The Commission speaks out for and supports children and young people, especially those most vulnerable; monitors and promotes laws, policies and practices that affect young people; investigates and helps solve complaints about services for young people; provides a statewide Community Visitors Program to support children and young people living in out-of-home care; and carries out Working with Children Checks to make sure those working with children and young people are suitable.
Department of Child Safety
http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/
The Department provides services to children and families where child abuse or neglect has been alleged or identified. Allegations of child abuse and neglect are investigated and responded to with advice, information and assistance provided to families and community members. Emphasis is placed on maintaining children with their families and by educating and supporting parents to care for their children.
Protective Behaviours Consultancy Group (Qld)
Inc.
http://www.pbqld.gil.com.au
The role of the organisation is to provide training in relation to the (Peg Flandreau West) Protective Behaviours Program. Protective Behaviours encourages people to identify and deal with potentially unsafe or risky situations such as: being home alone; verbal, physical, sexual or emotional abuse; sexual harassment; bullying; and domestic violence. It provides people with strategies to keep themselves safe and cope with situations that threaten their well being.
Safehands
Safehands is a state wide social marketing and education campaign designed to: increase public awareness; generate support from government agencies to reduce offending; provide support for potential witnesses who may know of offences and offenders; educate parents and the wider community that rough handing can harm children and is unacceptable; and enhance the community perception of government and non government agencies as pro-actively protecting and supporting children.Australian Centre for Child Protection
http://www.unisa.edu.au/childprotection/
The Australian Centre for Child Protection is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government (Department of Education, Science and Training) and the University of South Australia. Establishment of the Centre reflects increased community concern for the welfare of children, particularly those at risk of abuse or neglect. The Centre's impact will be leveraged through partnerships with stakeholders, through direct and indirect support for targeted research initiatives, and through facilitation of good practice in professional education. The Centre's impact is also realised through advocacy aimed at improvement in practice and contribution to policy in child protection.
Mission SA
http://www.mission.com.au/cm/index.aspx
Mission SA (formerly Adelaide City Mission) is a non-denominational Christian welfare agency which has been caring for people since 1867. The organisation provides physical, emotional and spiritual help to those people in need: the homeless, the unemployed, the drug addicted, the abused, the despairing and the lonely.
Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People
The South Australian Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People advocates for and promotes the best interests of children and young people who are under the care, custody or guardianship of the Minister for Families and Communities.
Care and Protection Services
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/careandprotection/
The Department of Health and Human Services brings together a wide range of services for the people of Tasmania - offering a range of support services, including child protection.
Child Protection Strategy
http://www.police.tas.gov.au/community/child-protection
The Department of Police and Public Safety is responsible for the Child Protection Strategy which provides basic, informative and practical material to better equip Operational Police in their role of identifying and preventing child abuse and neglect in our communities.
Commissioner for Children
http://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/
The Commissioner serves to promote and protect the rights of all children and young people in Tasmania with respect of their health, care, welfare, protection and development. The Commissioner acts independently, impartially and in the public interest.
Child Protection and Juvenile Justice
Branch
http://www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/home
Child Protection and Family Services within the section, Children, Youth and Families, in the Department of Human Services, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well being of adolescents and children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. The Branch funds, supports and monitors services including Victoria's child protection service, accommodation and support services for children and adolescents in care, adoption and permanent care, and juvenile justice services.
Children's Welfare Association of
Victoria
http://www.cwav.asn.au
This organisation is the peak coordinating body for an extensive network of non government agencies that provide services to Victorian children, young people and families. It provides support, policy development and information dissemination, and works in liaison with other peak welfare bodies.
Domestic Violence Resource Centre
Victoria
DVRCV is a statewide resource centre for information
about domestic violence and sexual assault. It provides
education and training, publications, consultation for workers,
and referrals for those affected by family violence. It was formerly known as the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC).
Office of the Child Safety Commissioner
http://www.ocsc.vic.gov.au/
The Office of the Child Safety Commissioner is a new organisation that makes children a priority. The Commissioner provides advice to the Minister for Children on issues impacting on the lives of children, in particular vulnerable children. This is achieved through listening to children, advocating on their behalf, being impartial, leading on child-safe practices, acting with integrity, and being held accountable.
Oz Child: Children
Australia
http://www.ozchild.com.au
Oz Child is a Victorian, non government organisation committed to improving the quality of care, life opportunities and status of children throughout Australia by: taking or initiating action to protect or enhance the rights of children; providing or enabling direct services through a variety of disciplines for the benefit of children and their families; and influencing decisions or actions of individuals, organisations and governments where relevant to children and their families. Services include: foster care; respite care for children with disabilities; assisting with placement of children with disabilities into Family Day Care; shared family care; residential services for adolescents; learning centres to assist with learning disabilities, including assessment and treatment; research; information service; and the publication of a quarterly journal. Oz Child was established in 1993 when three long established child welfare agencies - Family Action, Family Focus (formerly the Victorian Children's Aid Society) and the National Children's Bureau of Australia - amalgamated to form Oz Child: Children Australia Inc.
Parenting Research Centre
http://www.parentingrc.org.au/
The Parenting Research Centre was established in 1997, and engages in a range of research activities to help parents raise children well. Their focus is generating new knowledge of how parenting practices affect children, and how best to engage and support parents in this rewarding but often challenging task.
Victorian Community Council Against Violence
http:
//www.justice.vic.gov.au/councilagainstviolence
The Victorian Community Council Against Violence is a unique body that aims to identify and build on the foundations necessary for the community to be free of violence. It provides a link between Government and the community on community concerns about violence.
Department for Child Protection
http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DCP/
The new Department for Child Protection will focus on meeting the needs of vulnerable children, their families and communities in Western Australia.