Policy barriers to child sexual abuse secondary prevention programs in Australia

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) secondary prevention is available in multiple international jurisdictions but despite government commitment, a similar service is yet to be established in Australia. This has been a significant policy gap in the Australian response to CSA. Drawing on interviews with six secondary prevention stakeholders in July 2021, this research aimed to identify barriers to secondary prevention policy. Data was analysed with a focus on perceptions of government agenda-setting and processes of issue prioritisation. This research produced new knowledge regarding policy barriers to secondary prevention, including the government’s prioritisation of policing over prevention, constraints on public and professional awareness of CSA due to a lack of adequate data, and the ambiguity and infancy of the field of secondary prevention. The research identified opportunities for establishing and sustaining secondary prevention policies, including national and international shifts towards a public health approach to CSA and increased policy appetite for prevention.