How can we harness the wisdom of survivors in the design of services and policy? 

This article discusses sensitive topics, including child abuse. Reader discretion is advised, and seek support if needed.

Last month, the government’s announcement to adopt the recommendations of the Rapid Child Safety Review in response to allegations of child sexual abuse in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings made headline news. The renewed focus on child safety is welcome but long overdue. And let’s be clear, this is not just an issue in early childhood settings, but in all organisations to whom we entrust the care and safety of our children.

In fact, survivors of sexual abuse have been calling for change for some time now. 

Over three years ago, 350 survivors of child sexual abuse took part in a survey initiated by Emma Hakansson, the chair of Australian Childhood Foundation’s Lived Experience Advisory Committee (LEAC). A common thread was revealed in their experiences of abuse: a seemingly complete lack of adult awareness and education of sexual abuse. Survivors consistently reported that adults around them missed clear warning signs, often because they didn’t know what to look for or how to take action. 

It is therefore urgent to train adults to spot these signs.  

The Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) was initially proposed as a good place to start. The recommendations which were developed with the support of LEAC were published in: ‘More than a check: Enhancing the WWCC scheme to strengthen the safety net around children’. The report called for mandatory child sexual abuse training for everyone applying for WWCC at the point of entry. This is because perpetrators could easily manipulate the system, effectively using the WWCC as a gateway to gain access to children.  

The report argued that it is everyone’s responsibility to stop child abuse from occurring. Adults must be armed with the skills and knowledge to identify and understand the warning signs of when children are not feeling safe and the indicators of child sexual abuse, and how to respond safely to all forms of disclosures. If we had this knowledge embedded across every community, we are more likely to prevent abuse from occurring and support survivors early on to access help and start the healing journey. 

The government last week announced it will introduce mandatory training as part of the Working With Children Check (WWCC) application process.

It shouldn’t take so long for policy makers to respond to recommendations from survivors of abuse. So, how can we effectively co-design systems that harness the wisdom of those with lived experience to create policies and services that genuinely meet the needs of those most affected?

This was the question the panel, “A symposium listening to the wisdom of lived experience in service delivery, design and policy development” explored during the International Trauma Conference hosted by  Australian Childhood Foundation in Melbourne last week. 

The speakers emphasised that their experiences must be recognised as valuable forms of knowledge. Too often, survivor testimonies are treated as fleeting narratives powerful in the moment but quickly set aside. Yet testimony is never “just a story.” It carries wisdom and insight that illuminate the conditions shaping people’s lives, and can deepen our understanding of complex systems. When taken seriously, these truths can drive purposeful and lasting change. 

“Part of valuing lived experience is redefining who holds the authority to decide what’s working and what must change,” said Morgan Cataldo, founder and principal consultant at morgan&co. She supports organisations to move beyond performative inclusion, helping individual and collective insights translate into systemic impact.

Tutie Wilmott is a survivor advocate with a background in social work and commerce and is currently working alongside First Nation community members in the ACCO sector as a Senior Project Officer in family violence reform and is also a member of the Lived Experience Advisory Committee. She pointed out that consultation often occurs too late in the process. “True co-design must be integrated throughout every stage of service and policy design. Currently, consultations can feel tokenistic, like a checkbox exercise. Many who have lived experience feel belittled in these settings, and that power imbalance exacerbates their trauma.”

She recounted her own journey: “For many years, I kept my lived experience private, believing it might undermine my professional credibility. However, I realized that my experience enriches my work and informs better outcomes for those I serve.”

“It’s essential to reframe how we see children and young people in the conversations we have about family violence,” said Conor Pall who is a changemaker reshaping the systems meant to protect and support those experiencing vulnerability, and a social work student. Conor serves as the Deputy Chair of the Victorian Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council (VSAC) and is the author of the children’s book The Shadow That Follows. He continued, “We often describe them as bystanders or secondary victims, but they are living through these experiences and carry their own insights about what support should look like.”

Morgan cautioned that participation is often framed through adult-centric norms. “If we truly want to centre children and young people, we need to create spaces that allow them to show up authentically, in ways that feel natural and dignifying to them — not to us.”

She recalled a recent project where young people had been invited into a formal event with senior executives. The formality felt intimidating, so organisers supported them to redesign the interaction. Together, they created an informal space with music, food, and conversation on their terms and invited adults into it. By inverting the usual power dynamic, the young people were able to lead, and the quality of dialogue was transformed. 

“When engaging with survivors, it’s vital to establish a structure of predictability,” advised John Cardamone, an educator and advocate for child protection. “We need to clarify what will be shared and how it will be used. This transparency builds trust and safety, which are crucial for effective engagement.”

He highlighted the necessity of ongoing consent. “Trauma doesn’t follow a schedule. People may experience triggers at any time, so we need to ensure they feel secure in their choices to share their stories.”

Integrating lived experience into service design and policy development is critical. The panel discussion highlighted the need for systemic change that prioritizes the voices of those directly impacted by trauma.

“We need to shift from merely hearing children to actively listening to what they have to say, and partnering with them in the actions we take,” Conor emphasized. “This isn’t just about policy; it’s about creating a culture where children feel safe to express their truths.” Morgan echoed this sentiment: “We must build systems that are trustworthy and responsive to the lived experiences of children and young people. This requires us to get uncomfortable and rethink our approaches.”

If the failures in childcare settings teach us anything at all, it is to listen to and act upon the voices of children and young people who have experienced abuse and trauma. We must recognise that the power to change lies not just in policies, but in our collective commitment to honour and harness the wisdom wise voices of those who have lived through traumatic experiences. Together, we can foster a future where every child’s voice is heard, valued, and integrated into the systems designed to protect them.

Janise is the Chief Executive Officer of Australian Childhood Foundation, a social worker, and Director of the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care. She has experience in child protection, high risk adolescents, public policy analysis, program development and evaluation. Janise has extensive experience in the development of innovative therapeutic programs for traumatised children and young people. She is responsible for the development and implementation of a number of national and state-wide therapeutic out-of-home care programs, child abuse prevention programs and professional education training programs. She has a Masters degree examining the policy and practice underpinning therapeutic care initiatives in Australia. Janise is also an Adjunct Associate Professor with Southern Cross University.

If this article has raised concerns or distress, support is available here:

Bravehearts – 1800 272 831 or bravehearts.org.au
1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 or 1800respect.org.au
Lifeline – 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au