In the Read

Treatment of children with problem or harmful sexual behaviours – an evidence review

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has released Rapid evidence assessment: Current best evidence in the therapeutic treatment of children with problem or harmful sexual behaviours, and children who have sexually offended that considers current best evidence about the effectiveness and content of programs and practices aimed at treating children with problem or harmful sexual behaviour and children and young people who have sexually offended. The review found there are surprisingly few rigorous high‐quality studies investigating the effectiveness of treatment programs, especially for children outside the youth justice system and those under the age of 10 years. Evidence does show promising avenues for treatment options: three high quality studies found a large, positive effect in treatment delivered using multisystemic therapy (MST) as a treatment model for children and young people aged 10-17 years who have sexually offended. Key features of MST that are particularly useful are identified, including its ecosystems orientation that emphasises contextual factors in both offending and treatment, such as allowing caregivers to mediate interventions to ensure effective reinforcement of positive behaviours, and using a range of key service providers in treatment planning and delivery. Other key features include using known effective behaviour change techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy, and utilising individually delivered services to address specific needs rather than group-based approaches. Read the report.

Anti-Poverty Week 2022

Anti-Poverty Week 2022 has seen the release of numerous publications reporting on poverty in Australia and its impact. Take the…

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A path forward for anti-discrimination law in Queensland

The final report and recommendations of the QHRC’s Review of Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Act were tabled in state parliament on 1st…

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Report into institutional child sexual abuse reforms

On Friday, 8th April 2022, the Queensland Government tabled its fourth annual report into the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual…

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Highlighting how we can build a strengthened Australia for future generations

Highlighting the ways in which we can all contribute to a strengthened, inclusive and unified Australia for all, in today’s…

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Protecting the rights of children to education and more, in today’s eNews

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Australian Child Maltreatment Study 2023

It has been over a week since the publication of Australia’s first high-quality, nationally representative study of the prevalence of…

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