This exploratory study aims to investigate technology-facilitated harmful sexual behaviours among neurodiverse adolescents, focusing on the contexts, pathways, and protective factors associated with these behaviours. With funding and research support from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, Bravehearts is working with Amaze and the Institute of Child Protection Studies, at the Australian Catholic University.

Bravehearts research team is undertaking an evaluation of our Therapeutic and Support Services to identify factors that contribute to client experience, including elements of the therapeutic relationship, intervention strategies, and organisational influences. Findings will provide actionable insights to inform service improvement, enhance client engagement, and support accountability in delivering high-quality therapeutic care.

This report, undertaken by the Queensland University of Technology and Bravehearts, presents the findings of qualitative research that explored the perspectives of victim-survivors on post-custodial interventions for people with convictions for sexual offending (PCSOs). Drawing on multiple broad theoretical perspectives, the study examined three key questions: what victim-survivors of sexual violence identify as their own needs during the release and reintegration of PCSOs; what they perceive to be the needs of PCSOs during this process; and the reasons why victim-survivors support or oppose a range of post-custodial measures, including electronic monitoring, offender registers, community notification, parole supervision, psychological interventions, and Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA).

Richards, K., Death, J., Chataway, M., Emzin, C., Ronken, C. & Chapman, R. (2025). Victim-survivors’ perspectives on the reintegration of people with convictions for sexual offending. Report to the Criminology Research Advisory Council Canberra [ACT]: Australian Institute of Criminology.

The Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material Project was a collaboration between Monash University’s Artificial Intelligence for Law Enforcement and Community Safety (AiLECS) Lab and Bravehearts Foundation. The project was funded by the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.

The purpose of this research is to establish a lived experience evidence base to ensure that victim and survivor perspectives are more clearly acknowledged and addressed in the design and implementation of tools and processes that support institutional uses of CSAM (this may include use for investigation or prosecution of child sexual abuse cases, or as data in broader crime prevention research, including development of technology solutions to counter CSAM).

Publications and Reports from this research project:

Humphries, K., Lewis, A. ., Rolan, G. and Ronken, C. (2025). Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Final Report Vol 1 Findings and Themes. Melbourne [Vic]: AiLECS Lab, Monash University.

Humphries, K., Lewis, A. ., Rolan, G. and Ronken, C. (2025). Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Final Report Vol 2 Calls to Action And Recommendations. Melbourne [Vic]: AiLECS Lab, Monash University.

Humphries, K., Lewis, A., Rolan, G. and Ronken, C. (2025). Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Project Evaluation Report. Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Project Evaluation Report. Melbourne [Vic]: AiLECS Lab, Monash University.

Humphries, K., Lewis, A., Rolan, G. and Ronken, C. (2024). Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Engagement and Evaluation Strategy. Melbourne [Vic]: AiLECS Lab, Monash University.

Ballin, M., Humphries, K., Lewis, A. ., Rolan, G. and Ronken, C. (2024). “Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material”, International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. doi: 10.5204/ijcjsd.3581

Ronken, C. (2024). Held at ransom’: victim-survivors open up about the use of child sex abuse material to fight crime. [Online] https://theconversation.com/held-at-ransom-victim-survivors-open-up-about-the-use-of-child-sex-abuse-material-to-fight-crime-237659

Humphries, K., Lewis, A. ., Rolan, G. and Ronken, C. (2024). Survivor Perspectives on Institutional Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Survey Statistical Report, Melbourne [Vic]: AiLECS Lab, Monash University.

Background: Child sexual abuse is a widespread problem with far-reaching impacts for survivors that can extend into adulthood. Engagement in therapeutic intervention can reduce the negative impacts of child sexual abuse, however little is known about rates of referral to, engagement in, and completion of therapeutic interventions
following the disclosure or detection of abuse.
Objective: This research aimed to explore factors relating to completion of therapy, and barriers to therapy completion, among clients of a child sexual abuse counselling service.
Participants and setting: Participants were 581 child clients who engaged in therapeutic treatment at Bravehearts, an Australian non-government child protection organisation that specialises in the treatment and prevention of child sexual abuse.
Methods: Client demographic, referral, engagement, sexual abuse-specific and symptomology/presentation data was examined in relation to therapy completion rates, and specific reasons for disengagement were explored among subgroups of clients.
Results: Parental engagement in the child’s therapeutic treatment was shown to be a key factor associated with therapy completion, with clients who had a parent or carer engage being four times more likely to complete than those who did not. First Nations clients, those who experienced abuse by a sibling or by multiple perpetrators, and those who presented with more behavioural concerns at intake were less likely to complete therapy. Clients who were engaging at the time of an upcoming or current criminal court case were more likely to complete.
Conclusion: This research highlights the complexity of factors associated with therapy engagement, and the coexisting and complicating familial and environmental issues that may present as barriers to therapy completion. Implications for therapeutic practice with children and families following disclosure or detection of child
sexual abuse are discussed.

See: Chapman, R., Ebzery, K., Ronken, C., and Thompson, D. (2025). Factors that influence therapy completion in a child sexual abuse counselling service. Children and Youth Services Review. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108195

Early intervention in problem sexual behavior (PSB) is critical; however, little is known about the engagement of children and families in therapeutic intervention for PSB. This research explored the characteristics, presenting issues, and engagement of 242 children aged 4–12 years attending a therapeutic service for PSB. Most frequently, PSB occurred within sibling relationships. Girls were more likely to engage in PSB alone (self directed or non-targeted behaviors), while boys were more likely to involve other young people (interpersonal PSB). One third (35%) of clients engaged in completion of therapy. Parental noninvolvement and self-directed or non-targeted PSB predicted early disengagement. Client demographics, sexual abuse, and interpersonal sexual behaviors were not associated with therapy completion. Implications for therapeutic intervention in children’s PSB are discussed.

See: Chapman, R. L., Ebzery, K. S., Ronken, C. A., and Thompson, D. (2024). Problem Sexual Behavior and Engagement in Therapeutic Intervention among Children Aged 4–12. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 33(5), 671–690. DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2024.2406261

“On one hand I would struggle to know that my abuse material was out there being circulated to even the well meaning authorities. But on the other hand the use of it could help sooo many other children.”

These are the words of a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse. They reflect a profound tension regarding the use of photos or videos depicting child sexual abuse for legitimate purposes. This material is used by police investigating sexual exploitation, and by courts to prosecute cases. It is also used by the technology industry and researchers to understand and fight its production and distribution. But there is a substantial gap in research exploring victim-survivors’ views on this practice. This is a serious problem. My colleagues and I have been working hard to fill this gap by interviewing victim-survivors to find out what they think. Our early findings show they have several concerns about the use of child sexual abuse material for legitimate purposes.

See: Ronken, C. (2024). Held at ransom’: victim-survivors open up about the use of child sex abuse material to fight crime. The Conversation [Online, 17th September, 2024]

Read: https://theconversation.com/held-at-ransom-victim-survivors-open-up-about-the-use-of-child-sex-abuse-material-to-fight-crime-237659

Abstract: Background: The manifestation of complex trauma results from exposure to severe and repetitive stressors occurring within the caregiver system. Frequently associated with child maltreatment, complex trauma can lead to impairments in multiple domains, including attachment, affect and behavioural regulation, and cognition. Treatments, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, have been shown to be efficacious, but high attrition rates point to the need for complementary methods that boost client retention and treatment efficacy. This systematic review examines whether dog-assisted therapy has beneficial impacts on the treatment of complex trauma and whether it can decrease treatment attrition among children presenting with complex trauma exposure. Methods: We followed PRISMA guidelines to locate relevant research reports. Seven published research reports matched the inclusion criteria. Results: Dog-assisted therapy may increase the efficacy of standard interventions for complex trauma, although only one study formally assessed treatment retention. Across most studies, there is an overall lack of detailed information on the nature of therapeutic activities involving the dog and how these activities may complement or enhance therapy as usual. Studies were of varying methodological quality, impacting the reliability of findings. Conclusions: Future studies should aim to better describe and justify dog-assisted therapy techniques and evaluate these in comparison with standard evidence-based approaches to the treatment of childhood complex trauma.

See: Chapman, R.L., Baselmans, C., Howell, T.J., Ronken, C., & Butler, D. (2024). Exploring the Benefits of Dog-Assisted Therapy for the Treatment of Complex Trauma in Children: A Systematic Review. Children, 11. DOI: 10.3390/children11081017

This report, prepared for Bravehearts by researchers at the Institute of Child Protection Studies (Australian Catholic University) synthesizes the findings from various studies identified in a rapid evidence assessment (REA) reviewing research on the management of harmful sexual behaviours (HSBs) in adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). The paper highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing challenges identified in this complex and critical area of research and clinical practice..

See: Trew, S., & Douglas, R. (2024). A Rapid Evidence Assessment on The Effectiveness of Interventions for Autistic Adolescents with Harmful Sexual Behaviors. Trauma Violence Abuse. 25(4): 3149-3163. DOI: 10.1177/15248380241241024.

Read: A rapid evidence assessment on the effectiveness of interventions for adolescents with an Autism Spectrum Condition and with harmful sexual behaviours

This report, prepared for Bravehearts by researchers at the Institute of Child Protection Studies (Australian Catholic University) presents a synthesis of existing literature on siblings’ use of harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), also referred to as sibling sexual abuse (SSA). It provides an overview of the risk and protective factors (both for engaging in HSB towards siblings, and for experiencing sexual abuse from a sibling), disclosure patterns and responses to disclosure, and therapeutic responses or other interventions for victims and children and young people instigating SSA.

See: Russell, D. H., Trew, S., Hunt, G., Dickson, J., & Higgins, D. J. (2023). The risk and protective factors, response to disclosure, and interventions for sibling sexual abuse: A systematic review. Melbourne [Vic]:  Australian Catholic University. DOI: 10.26199/acu.906qz

Read: The risk and protective factors, response to disclosure, and interventions for sibling sexual abuse: A systematic review

This report, prepared for Bravehearts by researchers at the Institute of Child Protection Studies (Australian Catholic University) seeks to review the benefit of involving parents in child-focused CSA prevention programs. Recent research has suggested a need to involve parents more in CSA prevention. Research evaluating programs that engage parents often neglects to evaluate the impact or effect of engaging parents on program outcomes, making it difficult to understand how, when, and in what ways parents can be involved effectively in programs

See: Russell DH, Trew S, Harris L, Dickson J, Walsh K, Higgins DJ, Smith R. (2024). Engaging Parents in Child-Focused Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Strategies: A Systematic Review. Trauma Violence Abuse. 25(4):3082-3098. DOI: 10.1177/15248380241235895.

Read: Engaging parents in child focused child sexual abuse prevention education strategies: A systematic review

People convicted of sexual offences are increasingly subject to a range of post-prison measures designed to reduce their risk of reoffending, including civil commitment, public offender registers, electronic monitoring and Circles of Support and Accountability. The views of a range of stakeholders, including policy-makers, legislators, and perpetrators themselves, have previously been documented about these measures. However, very little research has sought to document victim/survivors’ views, despite victim/survivors having a vested interest in the efficacy of such measures. This study began to address this gap by investigating the views of victim/survivors of sexual violence about post-release measures for perpetrators. To do this, the research reported here involved conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews with 33 victim/survivors of sexual violence. The research found that victim/survivors favor post-release measures that reflect either purely consequentialist or a hybrid of consequentialist and deontological motivations. The study’s findings will be of relevance to legislators and policy makers, who increasingly see value in incorporating the views of victim/survivors into the development of measures designed to respond to perpetrators of sexual violence.

See: Richards, K., Death, J. and Ronken, C. (2023). The views of victim/survivors of sexual violence about perpetrator post-release measures. Criminal Justice Studies, 36(4), 418-437, DOI: 10.1080/1478601X.2023.2218531

Early identification and intervention for children and young people vulnerable to harm has the potential to both reduce the risk of long-term adverse outcomes for children and to support child protection workers and police to better respond to notifications. Improving systems to accurately identify vulnerable children is critical for policy makers, child protection and police, as well as child protection advocates and researchers, allowing for targeted and effective allocation of child protection resources. Benefits of an automated decision-making approach in the child protection arena is that it may be able to identify patterns and correlations more readily and more effectively across information collated from various sources, and more objectively assess data profiles for risk, reducing the potential for erroneous or biased human assessment.

See: Ronken, C. (2022). Observations from the field. In L. Sleep and P. Henman (eds.) ADM in Child and Family Services: Mapping what is happening and what we know. ADM+S Working Paper Series 2022 (002), ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, DOI: 10.25916/n86m-km33

Bravehearts was contracted by the NQPHN in July 2020 to deliver services to disadvantaged and disengaged children and young people who have experienced trauma-related issues, and their families, through the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Council Regions. The Courage Project provides therapeutic and advocacy supports to children and young people under the age of 14 who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, physical and/or sexual abuse and are at risk of self-harm.

This report outlines an initial evaluation of The Courage Project. As The Courage Project is in the early stage of its operation, a formative evaluation was undertaken to understand the successes and challenges faced in implementation and the degree to which the program is meeting its intended purpose and outcomes.

Read The Courage Project: Formative Evaluation

Child sexual abuse is associated with a range of often detrimental and interrelated outcomes. Bravehearts’ multidisciplinary counselling service has been providing specialist therapeutic support to victims/survivors of child sexual abuse, children and young people at risk of sexual harm, and non-offending family members, for over two decades.

The aim of this evaluation is specifically to:

• Understand levels of client symptomology and functioning at commencement of counselling for two distinct client groups (child/adolescent clients, and adult clients).
• Examine changes in client symptomology and functioning from commencement to completion of counselling for these client groups.
• Understand perceptions of Bravehearts’ therapeutic services and related outcomes for child/adolescent and adult clients.

Read the Evaluation of Bravehearts Therapeutic Services – Final Report.

Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) are a feature of the criminal justice landscape in Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, parts of Western Europe, and South Australia. Prior research indicates that members of the public may oppose CoSA due to a belief that by supporting perpetrators, CoSA undermine the interests of survivors of sexual violence. However, no research has considered the views of survivors of sexual violence themselves. The current study addressed this gap by conducting semi-structured, qualitative interviews (n = 33) with adult female survivors of sexual violence on their views about CoSA. Participants’ perspectives were diverse, although in the main indicated broad support (albeit often cautious and/or contingent support) for CoSA. Understanding the views of survivors will enable CoSA programs across the globe to develop and deliver CoSA in ways that better meet the needs of survivors, as well as to address public resistance toward CoSA. Implications and future research priorities that emerge from the findings are discussed.

See: Richards, K., Death, J. and Ronken, C. (2021). What do victim/survivors of sexual violence think about Circles of Support and Accountability. Victims & Offenders, 16(6) DOI: 10.1080/15564886.2020.1850578

This report, prepared for Bravehearts by researchers at the Institute of Child Protection Studies (Australian Catholic University) presents the current state of child sexual abuse prevention programs, reviewing their utility and effectiveness for child sexual abuse prevention education for children. It includes recommendations about the design and delivery of programs for preschoolers and children in the early primary school years (aged 2-8 years) that need to be considered when adapting and delivering prevention education online.

See: Trew, S., Russell, D.H., Higgins, D.J., & Walsh, K. (2021). Effective delivery methods and teaching strategies for child sexual abuse prevention: A rapid evidence check. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.DOI:10.26199/rdbq-xm46

In recent years, the biggest increases in Australia’s prison population have come from people convicted of sexual offences. From 2017-18, this segment of the prison population increased by 10%. The following year, it was up again by 7%.

As a corollary, more and more sexual offenders are being released from prisons back to our communities. Understandably, a great deal of public concern often accompanies the release of sexual offenders, especially those who have committed offences against children. Despite this, very few programs exist to support sexual offenders as they reintegrate into the community, thereby making society safer by reducing their risk of reoffending. Our recent research examined one rare exception: Adelaide’s Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) program.

See: Richards, K., Ronken, C., Death, J. and McCartan, K. (2020). Inside an Innovative Program Helping Sex Offenders Reintegrate into Society – and why it works. [Online, 11th May, 2020]

Read: https://theconversation.com/inside-an-innovative-program-helping-sex-offenders-reintegrate-into-society-and-why-it-works-136513

Child sexual abuse is associated with a range of often detrimental and interrelated outcomes. Bravehearts’ multidisciplinary counselling service has been providing specialist therapeutic support to victims/survivors of child sexual abuse, children and young people at risk of sexual harm, and non-offending family members, for over two decades.

The aim of this evaluation is specifically to:

• Understand levels of client symptomology and functioning at commencement of counselling for two distinct client groups (child/adolescent clients, and adult clients).
• Examine changes in client symptomology and functioning from commencement to completion of counselling for these client groups.
• Understand perceptions of Bravehearts’ therapeutic services and related outcomes for child/adolescent and adult clients.

Read the Evaluation of Bravehearts’ Therapeutic Services Preliminary Report.

Growing evidence shows that non-offending mothers experience significant loss and trauma following their child reporting experiencing sexual abuse. Maternal support offered to sexually abused children following disclosure can be a crucial factor in children’s recovery. Although mothers are often seen as playing a central role in facilitating the recovery of their sexually abused child, there has been little focus on their own needs and profiles. This present study aimed to increase our understanding of the diversity of profiles of non-offending mothers of sexually abused children by exploring the differences in psychosocial traits of non-offending mothers (N = 68; age range 28–67 years) reporting higher and lower resilience.

See: McGillivray, C., Pidgeon, A., Ronken C., and Credland-Ballantyne, C. (2018). Resilience in non-offending mothers of children who have reported experiencing sexual abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27(7), 793-810.

Understanding the processes of grooming and offending behaviour helps us recognise the dynamics and impacts on children and young people who have been affected by sexual assault. Moreover, in understanding these offending processes it becomes clearer how children and young people can be coerced into silence, or made to feel some responsibility for the offence. The better our understanding of this crime, the better we are equipped as parents, community members and people who work with children, to both protect and respond.

See: Ronken, C. (2017). Towards Prevention: Understanding child sexual assault. In R. Manocha (ed.) Growing Happy, Healthy Young Minds. Sydney: Hachette Australia.

The Sexual Assault Disclosure Scheme (SADS) was developed by Bravehearts as a means to reduce the barriers to disclosure and reporting among adult survivors of child sexual abuse. SADS currently operates in all jurisdictions across Australia and provides adult survivors with a safe and non-confrontational means of officially reporting historic cases of child sexual abuse.

Through SADS, survivors are able to report their experiences anonymously to the police, while receiving support from Bravehearts’ specialised case management and counselling staff. In reducing the barriers to disclosure, SADS also aims to increase the number of offenses being reported to the authorities, which might otherwise not have come to police attention.

The aim of the current project was to conduct a comprehensive internal evaluation of SADS. Specifically, the goals of this evaluation were to determine the effectiveness of SADS, to understand the processes surrounding its implementation and use, and identify areas to increase the effectiveness of the scheme.

Read the Evaluation of Bravehearts’ Sexual Assault Disclosure Scheme.

Bravehearts engaged the services of an organisational psychologist to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the ‘Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure’ education program and activity book. The evaluation criterion was the extent to which the 3 primary learning objectives are achieved. The data collected demonstrated that the program is age-appropriate and that the children were engaged and interested throughout the show.

Teachers advocated a strong recommendation for the program and the parent survey results point to the value of the activity book. The evaluation concluded that the education program is a vital and effective prevention strategy with convincing evidence supporting the benefits of a state-wide initiative to reduce the harmful effects and costs of sexual assault against children.

Read the Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Program Evaluation.

Abbey’s Project is a Discussion Paper written by Bravehearts that highlights the failings of the Family Law System. Published in June 2016, the Paper puts forward 30 recommendations, the first being that a Royal Commission is established to scrutinise the failed Family Law System.

Real stories of families who have been let down by the Family Law System informed Abbey’s Project, including the story of Abbey who tragically died by suicide after being allowed by the Courts to spend time with her father; a convicted child sex offender.

Read Abbey’s Project.

Bravehearts requires anyone conducting research to complete an ethics research proposal form for review. This includes, but is not limited to, any employee of Bravehearts, students wishing to access the service or service users, and any external researcher.

You can download this form here:  External Application to do research.