Australian Childhood Foundation to deliver national support service for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse  

Australian Childhood Foundation (The Foundation) today  welcomed the announcement by the Albanese Government that it has been appointed  to deliver a new national information and referral service for victims and survivors of  child sexual abuse. 

The service will provide free information, guidance and referrals to victim-survivors, their  families, carers, and the professionals who work alongside them. It will provide critical  information to help people navigate the service system, find the right support, and more  importantly, know they are not alone. 

The Foundation’s CEO Janise Mitchell said the service fills a critical gap in Australia's  response to child sexual abuse. "Victim-survivors of child sexual abuse have for too  long, faced a system that is fragmented, hard to navigate, and often re-traumatising.  They have had to fight to be heard, believed, and connected to the right help. This  service changes that." 

Every day in Australia, children and adults are living with the impacts of child sexual  abuse, and often they do so in silence, not knowing where to turn. This service will be a  place where people can reach out, be met with care, and be guided toward the support they need. 

“We know the impacts of child sexual abuse can be complex and long-lasting, and navigating the system can be overwhelming. This service will help people find the right  pathways to support,” said the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP. 

"There is no wrong reason to contact this service. You may be a survivor seeking answers, a parent who is worried about a child, a professional looking for guidance, or someone who just needs to talk, we will be there,” added Janise Mitchell.   

Australian Childhood Foundation brings more than 40 years of national leadership in responding to child sexual abuse, complex trauma, and harmful sexual behaviour. As a  founding partner of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse and  developer of the Handbook of Trauma-Transformative Practice, the Foundation has  built deep expertise in survivor-informed, culturally safe service design. 

The service will be delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria, which brings proven  operational excellence in high-volume, trauma-informed contact centre services. 

"Anglicare Victoria is proud to partner with Australian Childhood Foundation to provide  Australia's first dedicated national child sexual abuse information and referral service.  We also congratulate the federal government on the establishment of a nationally significant initiative designed to make it easier for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse  to access the support they need,” said Anglicare Victoria Chief Executive Paul McDonald  

About the Helpline:  

The service will operate across three integrated channels: 

▪ A secure, multilingual national website providing information, resources, and  referral pathways 

▪ A national helpline staffed by trained, trauma-informed operators 

▪ Specialist Service Navigators and qualified practitioners who provide tailored  support and referrals to appropriate services  

The service has been shaped by the voices of children, young people, and adult survivors of child sexual abuse and will continue to be guided by lived experience throughout its operation. 

It responds directly to Recommendation 9.5 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which called for a dedicated national service to help victim-survivors navigate complex and often overwhelming service systems.   

“This service has been shaped by the voices of victims and survivors who came forward through the Royal Commission and subsequent consultations, and I thank them for their courage and contribution,” said the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.   

"The Royal Commission heard from thousands of survivors who described being failed not once, but repeatedly by institutions, by systems, and by a lack of anywhere to turn," Ms Mitchell said. "This service is our commitment to doing better. It is a direct response to what survivors told us they needed: a trusted place to call, a knowledgeable voice on the other end, and a pathway to real support."   

All channels are designed to offer anonymity, choice, and control. The service will be accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances, with particular attention to priority groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and LGBTQIA+ communities. 

The service is expected to launch by the end of 2026.The Foundation will work closely  with Anglicare, the Australian Government, survivor advocates, specialist services, and  communities across the country in the lead-up to launch.