I am currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne and intend to study law afterwards. I have a passion for youth advocacy, especially regarding child sexual violence and have been a part of implementing child-safety programs in my local council. As a victim myself, being a part of the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Committee is a way to create the space I wish I had when I first became a victim. I am especially interested in the intersection of economics and vulnerable youth, and I hope to study this correlation further via work in public policy. Through the committee, I hope to increase support for victims of child sexual violence and improve education about sexual violence and harm.

I’m a 23-year-old Support Coordinator and Advocate who is passionate about ensuring survivors have access to the care and support they deserve. I believe in raising issues that impact survivors so their voices can be heard and their stories acknowledged. Through both my work and volunteer roles, I help people navigate complex systems and connect with the right services to meet their individual needs. In my free time, I continue this mission by supporting others in linking in with community resources, therapeutic supports, and advocacy pathways. My goal is to empower survivors to reclaim their voice and take steps toward healing with the right support behind them.

I am currently studying a degree in social work honours at University of New South Wales. I hope that I can apply my experience with psychodynamic theory, systems theory, empowerment theory and trauma informed care to holistically work with our our clients.
I am quite passionate about the organisation’s endeavour to alleviating mental health, children’s right and sexual violence. Young persons should have their development protected as their childhood is a strong determinant of their life trajectory. I aspire to engage in robust and proactive advocacy.

I’m extremely passionate about addressing the issues of sexual harassment and assault within our generation and have been working with Bravehearts since 2021. I was the Youth Member for Gaven in the Queensland Youth Parliament, serving on the Justice, Legal Affairs and Corrections portfolio, and now study Law (Hons) and International Relations at the Australian National University. I served on the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s Youth Advisory Council, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s Student Reference Group, and hold a leadership position within the ANU Law Students’ Society, working particularly around Social Justice. I hope to bring the ideas and experiences I have gained throughout my varied advocacy work into my conversations with Bravehearts in order to enact long-lasting change.

Hey, I’m Charlotte! I’m based in Victoria and currently studying a double degree in criminology and arts. I’m super passionate about youth advocacy, especially in the trauma space. My main aim in advocacy is to give a voice to the voiceless. As part of the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Committee, I hope to help reduce the stigma around trauma and sexual assault, educate others on being trauma-informed, and continue creating a supportive environment where victims of child sexual abuse can thrive.

I am currently in year 11 and proudly Indonesian-Australian. I am very passionate about protecting children and making sure that all children and youth can grow up in an environment where they feel safe and cared for.

I spoke at the 2025 QFCC Youth Summit about the role of young carers in Queensland. I also love debating, civic engagement and academic enrichment opportunities. When I finish school, I plan on studying law or political science. I aspire to one day work in a human rights space and advocate for marginalised groups.

I am a passionate advocate for child protection, mental health, and disability inclusion, with a passion for fostering positive change and empowering vulnerable communities. As a member of the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council, I contribute my expertise in youth justice, advocacy, and trauma-informed care to support Bravehearts’ mission of preventing child sexual abuse and supporting survivors.

I am currently studying Psychology at the University of Sydney with a minor in Criminology, aiming to specialise in clinical and forensic psychology, focusing on child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Alongside my studies, I work as a Suicide Prevention Peer Worker with NSW Health, where I advocate for trauma-informed, recovery-focused care. I also serve as an Advocate/College Member for the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, driving survivor-led change by amplifying the voices of survivors to shape healing-centred policies and programs.

My experiences have further guided my work with the NSW Department of Education Disability Strategy Reference Group, where I help develop inclusive education policies for students with disabilities. I am committed to using my empathy, leadership, and advocacy to create meaningful change, both within the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council and in my broader professional roles

I am a highly motivated, confident, and creative high school student who has received outstanding results in all subject areas as exemplified through my academic awards. I have demonstrated leadership qualities through my position as a member of the Student Representative Council for two consecutive years, both in which I was also appointed as Treasurer. Additionally, I am the Youth Member for the Condamine in the 30^th YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, I am the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award recipient for 2024, and I am a UQ Young Achievers Program scholar. Coming from a culturally and ethnically diverse background, I hope to bring a new perspective and amplify the voices of young people.

I am a TEDx Speaker, Co-Founder and Chair of the RUOK? Youth Board. I founded the Academy of Speakers; an organisation dedicated to building resilience, self-confidence and self-esteem in children that has taught over 400+ students. Currently, I am studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Law at the University of Sydney. I also work full-time at UBS and I am an Advisory Board Member for Maxme, a self-development tech start-up focusing on how to increase customer acquisition and user retention.

Lauren Buxton is a Psychology student at the University of New South Wales and advocate. She is an ongoing member in the University of Melbourne’s AVA Project as a Working Group Member and is a part of Fullstop’s Advisory Committee. Lauren is also currently the National Survivor Healing Group Manager for ‘What Were You Wearing? Australia’, where she manages peer workers and mental health professionals across multiple states to provide quality and accessible support to survivors.
Outside of her advocacy work, she is an administrative and marketing assistant for two psychology clinics, and volunteers in a variety of organisations such as Lifeline, Griefline, Raise Foundation and Reach Out.

Lauren has aspirations of working as a Clinical Psychologist and is in the midst of studying to achieve this goal. She hopes to raise awareness and enact meaningful change for survivors.

I am Mariam Nabizada, a highly motivated Year 11 student at Fairholme College with a strong passion for youth advocacy, dedicated to amplifying youth voices and driving positive change. My commitment is demonstrated through my involvement as Co-Founder of the Maryam Foundation, supporting vulnerable individuals and families both in Australia and Afghanistan, and my active participation in various organizations. I am delighted to contribute to the U-Report online digital community, and I’m thrilled to be a 2025 AFS Global STEM Changemakers scholarship recipient, collaborating on social innovation for a sustainable future. Furthering my dedication I serve as the Toowoomba North Youth Member for the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament , the Centre for Multicultural Youth and Culture Spring youth media committees, and the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society, alongside my role as a Radio Presenter for 102.7FM Radio Toowoomba and previous engagement as a Youth Advocate for the Toowoomba Regional Council and Student Volunteer at headspace.  I truly believe that real change can occur when everyone joins together, contributing their unique skills and perspectives to build a stronger, more inclusive community.

I am privileged to serve on the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council, working alongside a team of dedicated young people to advocate for the prevention of child sexual abuse. My passion for advocacy was sparked through various volunteer roles working with children, where I witnessed the devastating impact that CSA can have on survivors.

As a first-year law student at the University of Queensland (and future lawyer), I am eager to apply the knowledge I gain in the classroom to participate in legislative reform that protects children and supports survivors. On the council, I am committed to help shape solutions so that someday Bravehearts’ vision of a world free from child sexual abuse can be achieved.

I am honoured to serve on the Youth Advisory Council for Bravehearts, a role that allows me to advocate for children experiencing sexual abuse. As a survivor myself, I joined Bravehearts because I lacked the support and voice I needed during my own experience. I am deeply passionate about fighting for a world free from child sexual abuse, ensuring that every child feels safe, heard, and supported.

Currently, I am preparing to start Year 12 in 2025, with plans to study nursing or medicine at university. My dream is to dedicate my career to helping others and making a meaningful impact in their lives.
In my free time, I enjoy going for long runs with my energetic Kelpie mix, Winnie, and finding balance through staying active outdoors.

I am studying a Master of Clinical Psychology and I am passionate about fostering safe communities where children and young people can thrive. I am dedicated to preventing child sexual assault, exploitation, and sexual violence for people of all ages. I love to get involved in my community, particularly through peer support, mental health and youth advocacy, service design, research, program development, and trauma prevention and recovery.

I’m a 15 year old, Grade 10 High School and TAFE student. I currently aspire to become a psychiatrist and help the lives of those around me. I’m incredibly passionate about the problems Bravehearts is tackling and I will do everything I can to make good change in the world, no matter how difficult. I hope to help increase support to minority groups and those affected by sexual abuse, and to help inspire those that maybe can’t see the light through the dark. It such an honor to be a part of this committee and to see what change we can make happen.

I am studying a double degree in criminology and law at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and I am passionate about protecting young and vulnerable people. I currently work as a research assistant, and hope to continue working in research once I graduate, to contribute to practice and policy regarding the prevention of child exploitation. I hope to be able to make a meaningful contribution to Bravehearts’ mission as a member of the Youth Advisory Council.

Priya has been a member of the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council since 2023. She is highly passionate about education in the prevention of sexual violence and uses her lived experience to improve the way that Bravehearts provides feedback and services to its community. Priya was selected as the 2023 Gold Coast Bulletin Young Woman of the Year, and she volunteers within the National Council of Women of Queensland, as a member of the eSafety Youth Council, a Youth Advocate with the Queensland Family and Child Commission, headspace Southport’ Youth Advisory Council, and the Women’s Lawyer’s Association Queensland.

I am currently studying Bachelor in Psychology minoring in Criminology at Western Sydney University. I work as the Youth Influencing Officer and also as a Young Consultant for the CREATE FOUNDATION working in supporting young people in out-of-home care and I work As a mentor in The Intensive Support OOHC Adolescent Program with Recovery Coach.

I currently sit on the Mental Health Commission’s Suicide Prevention Council and ACAYP Youth Steering Committee. When I am not working, in a meeting or studying, I enjoy photography, a good book, good food, and watching my 2 Year old attempting to scale the baby gates, trying to figure out how to walk in my heels and how to apply my makeup.

I joined the Youth Council with Bravehearts not only to help be a part of their mission in preventing the exploitation of children, supporting survivors and most importantly educating young people and adults on prevention, warning signs and the impacts of exploitation of children, but also because I have a Personal Connection. To me, their mission is particularly important as I was a Victim and now I am a Survivor of child exploitation. I am hoping to use that experience to make a  contribution to positive change for all those affected by exploitation.

Bio pending

I am a public servant, passionate youth advocate and board director of the youth-run organisation: Voices of Influence Australia. I have a passion for advocating for vulnerable young people, leading me to join the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Committee. I am especially keen on raising awareness and prevention of online child exploitation. Drawing upon my experience on numerous youth advisory councils, human trafficking and human rights, I am excited to play a role in providing a youth perspective in the impactful work Bravehearts in preventing child sexual abuse and sexual violence against young people.