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Register today for our 2024 NCPW webinar series.
Join us for the official launch of National Child Protection Week!
This years theme, “Every Conversation Matters,” underscores the critical role of fostering dialogue in addressing the national epidemic of child abuse and neglect. The launch of National Child Protection Week will aim to inspire, educate, and mobilise individuals, communities, and organisations, to participate in conversations that protect and uplift our children.
With guest speaker, Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, this webinar will highlight the national commitment to child protection. Hear from Commissioner Hollonds about the impactful efforts driving child protection nation-wide.
Let’s come together to ensure that every conversation matters in creating a safer and more supportive environment for our children. Your voice matters!
Keynote Speakers:
Moderator: Leesa Waters, CEO of NAPCAN (moderator)
Anne Hollonds is Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner. Formerly Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, for 23 years Anne was Chief Executive of government and non-government organisations focused on research, policy and practice in child and family wellbeing.
As a psychologist Anne has worked extensively in frontline practice, including child protection, domestic, family and sexual violence, mental health, child and family counselling, parenting education, family law counselling, and community development.
Anne currently contributes to several expert advisory groups, including the Family Law Council, Australian Child Maltreatment Study, NSW Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council, National Plan Advisory Group (NPAG), and the Australian Centre for Child Protection Advisory Board.
Oliver White sits on the Senior Leadership Team at NAPCAN, is the Youth Project Officer and Chair of the Youth Speak Out council.
Through his years of advocacy work Oliver saw a need to create the advisory council at NAPCAN to collaborate with the ideas, perspectives and solutions that children and young people have to offer on issues that are significantly impacting their lives. He hopes that through his work, the voices and experiences of young people are not only considered, but championed on a government, organisational and business level.
At the same time, Oliver studies a major in Criminology at the University of Sydney.
Leesa Waters has over 30 years of experience in the social services sector, working in youth refuges, child protection services, women’s refuges, correctional facilities, courtrooms, NGOs and government departments across Australia.
This has provided her with an in-depth understanding of the issues that impact families. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Welfare), Bachelor of Law (Honours), Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a current Australian practising certificate from the NSW Law Society.
Leesa currently lives in regional NSW and has worked nationally across regional, remote and metropolitan communities. She is passionate about the power of prevention and is a strong advocate for respectful relationships education for children and young people.
Leesa believes we should all continually ask ourselves ‘what is it like for the child?
Join us for a pivotal webinar to unpack this year’s theme of National Child Protection Week, “Every Conversation Matters.” This event will highlight how members of our community must take a collaborative community approach to shift Australia’s culture of protecting children. Hear from leading professionals with over 20 years of experience in the sector as they share their insights on the necessary changes needed in the child protection space.
This webinar will encourage broader dialogue to emphasise the broader role of the community to support children. This webinar aims to foster greater community engagement and awareness in showcasing the crucial role every individual can play in creating a safer environment for children.
Panellist:
Moderator: Leesa Waters, CEO of NAPCAN (moderator)
Emma White is an accomplished executive leader with experience in community services and government sectors leading large and complex organisations, service delivery, policy and strategic reform and significant stakeholder management agendas.
She is regarded as a courageous driver of transformative organisational change based on an outcomes-driven, evidence informed, people-oriented approach. Emma has delivered proven results in improving service delivery and financial performance, and in attaining high standards of governance and accountability.
Emma is an exceptional relationship manager with the ability to engage with diverse and reluctant stakeholders in sensitive and contested areas of social policy and service delivery. Recognised as a natural leader with high EQ and staunch personal integrity, who consistently produces sustainable results.
Dilini De Silva (she/her) leads the frontline casework team at the NSW Multicultural Centre for Women’s and Family Safety.
Dilini is a social worker with extensive experience within the settlement sector and in working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Within SSI, Dilini has created and delivered agency wide procedures and training for staff responding to domestic violence disclosures.
She previously worked in women’s refuges and in statutory child protection, specifically in the preservation and restoration space. Dilini has also undertaken research and advocacy heavily focused on understanding the impact of domestic, family and sexual violence on children and young people from multicultural backgrounds.
Dana Syron Clarke is a Warrimay, Birrbay women from the mid north coast of NSW. Dana is a proud Aboriginal woman that has contributed to Aboriginal communities through a range of roles over more than 35 years. Beginning in Domestic Violence Court Support, Aboriginal health, child protection, sexual assault, and mental health.
She has held positions on numerous Ministerial panels, State and National Aboriginal advisory boards. Dana was the CEO of Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation for 19 years, which delivers a range of programs including, early intervention, family preservation, restoration, out-of-home care and aftercare services, only recently retiring.
Dana is the current Chairperson and has been an active member on the board of AbSec (the NSW Peak Body for Aboriginal Children Families and Communities) since 2005. Dana also currently holds seats on government advisory groups as well continuing to be an active advocate for Aboriginal families and communities. Dana’s work reflects her deeply held belief that Aboriginal kids and families are Aboriginal future, with Aboriginal self-determination being something that she continues to vigorously call for.
This has provided her with an in-depth understanding of the issues that impact families. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Welfare), Bachelor of Law (Honours), Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a current Australian practising certificate from the NSW Law Society.
Leesa currently lives in regional NSW and has worked nationally across regional, remote and metropolitan communities. She is passionate about the power of prevention and is a strong advocate for respectful relationships education for children and young people.
Leesa believes we should all continually ask ourselves ‘what is it like for the child?
Join us for an insightful session aimed at fostering the exchange of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander intergenerational knowledge in the pursuit of child safety. Bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders across different generations and sectors, this webinar will explore how shared learnings can be integrated into modern child protection systems, and methods to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can flourish.
Panellists:
Moderator: Kylie Captain, Author, Founding Director of Dream Big Education Wellbeing & Education , President of the Aboriginal Studies Association and Director NAPCAN board
Maggie Blanden is a proud Palawa woman from Lutruwita and the great-granddaughter of Aunty Ida West AM.
She has been recognized for her advocacy against domestic, family, and sexual violence, and her efforts to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls in the criminal justice system.
Maggie co-founded Naarm Law Students, an initiative honoured at the Australian Human Rights Awards, empowering youth through legal education to combat online abuse, racial discrimination, and neglect. With extensive experience in ACCHOs, she has worked as a youth worker, mentor, and law reform advocate, empowering Aboriginal children and young people.
Joshua Morris is a proud Koongurrukun man with work experience predominantly involved in the upskilling, empowerment and capacity building of our First Nations young people, having worked in primary school settings as well as in the VET sector at Charles Darwin University with IAHA. Joshua has also worked across remote community settings running Indigenous men’s workshops as well as coordinating programs in remote youth drop-in centres.
As Co-Chair of NAPCAN’s Youth Advisory Council & NT Youth coordinator, Joshua has experience coordinating, and working in collaboration with a diverse range of young people from across Australia to discuss youth strategies, policies, and advising on programs, and research affecting young people, with heavy emphasis on respectful relationships education.
He hopes to build bridges between cultural leadership roles and the empowerment of our future generations to shape a strong future for First Nations peoples with culture at the heart of all ways of operating.
Tanja Hirvonen is a proud Jaru, Bunuba and Wakaya woman, born and raised on the lands of the Kalkadoon people – Mount Isa, Queensland. Tanja is a clinical psychologist and mid-career researcher with expertise in mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, suicide prevention and working with persons impacted by trauma, and workplaces who are bringing cultural and clinical knowledges together.
She holds a second degree in Human Resource Management. She brings a combination of academic research, corporate expertise and clinical experience working with remote, regional communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing to her Board roles at Thirrili, the Australian Indigenous Psychologist Association and the Black Dog Institute.
She is an advocate for increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing practitioners in Australia, as well as for upskilling organisations with an understanding of how to provide culturally appropriate social and emotional wellbeing care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and individuals.
Kylie Captain is a proud Gamilaroi woman, a best-selling author, and an educator with over two decades of experience in education, finance, and community services. She has made significant contributions through her expertise in delivering impactful professional development and workshops across Australia.
As the President of the Aboriginal Studies Association and the Founder of Dream Big Education Wellbeing and Education, Kylie leads initiatives that promote cultural awareness and Aboriginal educational excellence. Kylie was a finalist for the NSW Woman of the Year Award in the category of Aboriginal Woman of the Year and recently published her third book at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Her commitment to leveraging her extensive experience and overcoming personal adversities drives her mission to create positive change as she aims to make a difference, one student, one school, and one organisation at a time.
All children and young people deserve to thrive. Prevention methods must not leave marginalised communities behind. Join us for a leading panel with young leaders who are committed to adopting intersectional frameworks in protecting young children across all diversities.
This panel will bring together voices from various communities to discuss the unique challenges experienced by children and young people from different backgrounds. Our panellists will share their inclusive practices in their effort to ensure that the protection of children does not adopt a monolithic approach in creating effective child protection strategies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the next (and current) generation of Australia’s leaders, who are using meaningful conversations to protect the future generations.
Panellists:
Moderator: Zahra Al Hilaly, Campaign and Policy Strategist, NAPCAN
Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis is a pioneering global youth affairs leader, social researcher, and speaker. Driven by social change, she has an extensive history of advisory, academic, advocacy and board appointments addressing social inequalities experienced by children and young people, wellbeing, civic and political participation, violence against children, gender and racial justice, and intergenerational leadership.
She served as the 2022 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations and is the current Oceania Representative on the World Federation of United Nations Associations Youth Advisory Council.
She is a Founding Director of Where They Are and the African Australian Youth Suicide Prevention Committee, and a Youth Advocate with the Centre of Research Excellence in Driving Global Investment in Adolescent Health at MCRI. In 2021, she received the NSW Premier’s Youth Medal in recognition of her advocacy and was named one of the UN’s 23 Young People Leading Resilient Recovery in the Decade of Action.
Gabriel Osborne (he/him) is a 25-year-old activist against LGBTQIA+ conversion practices, and other abuses experienced by LGBTQIA+ youth.
Gabriel’s lived experience has helped him lead a movement for LGBTQI+ youth survivors to seek justice after experiencing conversion practices. Gabriel is a co-founder of Flying Free, a not-for-profit, dedicated to creating systemic change by supporting individuals who have experienced abuse within mental health or addiction treatment facilities.
In 2023, Gabriel was named the Young People’s Award for the Australian Human Rights Award.
Ruben Sheriff (he/him) is a proud pakana man studying a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours at UTAS. Passionate about improving national consent education and keeping young people safe, Ruben works with NAPCAN as a National Youth Advisor for the NYSO team, consulting with organisations nationwide on how to uplift the youth voice, whilst also contributing to various RRE-focused projects.
With career aspirations in academic research, Ruben has research experience with UTAS in the mental health space, focusing on epistemic contributions in peer work and the role of lived experience in the medical sphere. He has also presented at the STOP DV Conference last year, in addition to being a panellist for the 2023’s National Child Protection Week. Currently, in addition to undergraduate and placement commitments, Ruben is also researching and writing about the incorporation and role of Mother Nature in social work practice.
A big picture thinker with the safety of children a key passion, Ruben is, ultimately, at every stage, dedicated to making the world a better place for both Indigenous peoples and young people through his work and advocacy.
Zahra Al Hilaly is an Australian lawyer, journalist, and activist, for human rights, interfaith dialogue, and peace building. As the former CEO of Oaktree Australia, Zahra led Australia’s largest youth-led development organisation, empowering thousands of young people in the Asia-Pacific region to become leaders of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Currently leading National Child Protection Week, Zahra is excited to broaden the conversation for more Australians to commit to NAPCAN’s mission. As a proud daughter of refugees from Palestine and Iraq, Zahra’s mission is to ensure refugee youth are being amplified in peace building agendas. In 2023, Zahra was named an Australian Women in Excellence and in 2024, she was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia-Pacific list.
In partnership with the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
This webinar will explore how practitioners can support the cultural needs of culturally and linguistically diverse children in out-of-home care.
In Australia, over 45,000 children live in out-of-home care (OOHC). This includes children with a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background who are likely to face unique challenges. Despite this, there is limited information on the experiences of these children.
As cultural, linguistic and religious diversity among the Australian population increases, the number of children from CALD backgrounds in OOHC is also likely to increase.
Held in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) as part of National Child Protection Week, this webinar will incorporate living experience, research and practice perspectives to provide insight into the experiences of CALD children in OOHC and encourage a stronger focus on cultural needs and connections within the child protection system.
Panellist:
Moderator: Dr Mandy Truong, Research Fellow, Child and Family Evidence at AIFS
Professor Rebekah Grace is the Director of the Research Centre for Transforming early Education and Child Health (TeEACH) at Western Sydney University. Her research is focused on the service and support needs of children and families who experience disadvantage and adversity, spanning the fields of disability; education; child development and child protection. She employs a cross-disciplinary, mixed-methods approach, and seeks to move beyond the bounds of disciplinary silos to address complex challenges.
Rebekah has extensive experience in productive collaboration with government and non- government service organisations. Her expertise is in applied research, and in the translation of that research so that it is meaningful within practice settings, and transformative to policy and practice. Rebekah has expertise in the conduct of rigorous effectiveness trials.
She is also well known for her research using participatory methods with children, young people and their families, and for her work in the co-design of new service initiatives with community members and service professionals.
Kathy Karatasas is a Social Worker with 40 years’ experience working in early intervention, child protection and out of home care services with government and non-government organisations. She is the Founder and CEO of Cultural Works working with agencies to elevate culturally responsive services to children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in care.
Kathy co-designed the S.E.L.F cultural framework which provides guidance to explore settlement, ethnicity, language and faith with children and families and better understand what cultural connections. She is undertaking international research through a Churchill Fellowship exploring practices in the United States, the UK and Norway in working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds in foster care.
Kathy is a member of a multi-university and sector National research team and the recent recipient of the first social science focused Australian National PhD scholarship to further progress national research on better cultural care practices for children in care.
Arabella Stravolemos is a dedicated advocate committed to empowering and supporting vulnerable individuals, especially in the field of child protection. She is a graduate in social work and a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers and also has personal experience as an individual with out-of-home care and has recently become a kinship carer. She combines her lived experience with professional expertise to foster positive change and prevent unnecessary family separations. Her mission includes educating others on the profound impacts of systemic involvement on vulnerable populations.
Arabella uses her experience and expertise as an Advocate and Consultant for allying stakeholders, including Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA). She adopts a person-centred approach, valuing the unique experiences and perspectives of each individual. Through active listening, advocacy, and empowerment, she creates safe and supportive environments that enable individuals to enact meaningful change.
Dr Mandy Truong is a Research Fellow in the Child and Family Evidence team at AIFS. She co-manages the Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) program that focusses on synthesising and translating evidence for practice and decision-making in service settings about what works for children and families.
Mandy is an experienced public health researcher, educator and health professional with experience in qualitative, mixed methods and evidence synthesis studies on topics including, cultural competency in healthcare, racism and health, migrant health and family and domestic violence.
The media plays a large role in fostering a culture of support and prevention efforts. However, the media must also evolve to better amplify the voices of survivors, experts, and advocates. Join us to hear from sector professionals about the role of media in enhancing prevention methods for all children and young people.
This session will examine the impact of media portrayals on public perception of child protection, highlighting both positive and negative influences. With NAPCAN’s newest media guides, this webinar will also highlight what ethical reporting practices look like, especially in upholding the dignity and privacy of victims and survivors.
In a tech-evolving world, join us as we aim to engage meaningful dialogue and drive positive and sustainable change in media practices.
Panellists:
Moderator: Oliver White, NYSO Chair NAPCAN
Mariam Veiszadeh is an award-winning human rights advocate, lawyer, diversity and inclusion practitioner, contributing author and media commentator.
Mariam was most recently in a management position at the Diversity Council of Australia, founded the Islamophobia Register Australia, and has held multiple board positions.
She has delivered a TEDxSydney talk advocating for greater cultural diversity, was featured as an Anti-Racism Champion by the Australian Human Rights Commission and currently sits on the Commission’s Expert Advisory Group for the Workplace Cultural Diversity Tool as well their Multicultural Advisory Group. Mariam has worked as radio commentator for the ABC radio and as a columnist for Fairfax media.
With many accolades to her name including the Fairfax Daily Life 2016 Woman of the year, the 2015 Westpac Woman of Influence and Welcoming Australia Life Member Award in 2021, Mariam is renowned for influencing positive change both in the workplace and in society more broadly.
Mariam was born in Afghanistan and came to Australia in 1990 with her family as a refugee.
Dr Anu Mundkur works at Our Watch as Manager, Prevention Implementation. Our Watch, is a national leader focused on the primary prevention of violence against women. She leads two teams – one focused on building the capacity of media to improve reporting on violence against women and the other focused on creating equal, safe and respectful workplaces. Before joining Our Watch, she was the Head of Gender Equality at CARE Australia, an international non-government organisation.
Dr Mundkur has over fifteen years of consultancy experience in supporting governments, non-profits and the private sector on issues related to gender equality and social inclusion and addressing gender-based violence. She is an experienced applied policy researcher and skilled facilitator with many years of teaching and training on a range of gender-related issues. Widely published, Dr Mundkur has co-authored and contributed to several respected white papers and has published in peer-reviewed journals.
Tracy Adams has more than 30 years experience with yourtown (Kids Helpline) and was appointed CEO in 2008. Over this time Tracy has overseen significant company growth, including expansion of services to children and young people, as well as a greatly enhanced advocacy agenda, including contributions to reforms related to child protection. Tracy has frequently addressed Government enquiries into the welfare of Australian children and young people, and regularly contributes to social commentary on issues that are affecting their lives through interaction with the media.
Tracy holds a number of board positions, and has been and remains a member of child protection committees across multiple jurisdictions.
In an evolving world of technology, join us as we discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in preventing cyberbullying, grooming, and exploitation, alongside the challenge posed by technologies, including deep fakes.
This webinar aims to increase public awareness about the intersection of the rise of digital technology and child prevention and protection efforts. With exceptional speakers, we will emphasise the need for ethical guidelines to ensure artificial intelligence is used responsibly, especially in our pursuit to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. Additionally, the session will highlight the role of media, campaigns, and educational programs in fostering a safer digital environment for young people.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and contribute to shaping a future where technology safeguards our children’s well-being.
Panellists:
Moderator: Harrison James, Co-Founder of #YourReferenceAintRelevant
Ms Ashley Katz is Director of the Child Protection and International Partnerships section within the Australian Attorney-General’s Department. Ms Katz has over 20 years’ experience working within both the UK and Australian public service, with extensive policy and program delivery experience.
Ms Katz has undertaken two overseas postings to India and Serbia, with responsibilities including international cooperation and partnerships related to National Security and Immigration program delivery. Most recently Ms Katz has had executive roles in the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Home Affairs overseeing industry and international engagement to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Lauren Elston is a Senior Education Advisor in the Children Youth and Families team at the eSafety Commissioner.
Lauren leads the Families Capacity Building project, funded under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse, to support parents and carers keep their children safe from online harms including child sexual abuse online. Prior to working at eSafety, she led the development of national policy and digital resources for over 10 years at the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership in the areas of teacher professional learning and induction.
Lauren is an innovative and highly accomplished Project Manager, with deep experience leading, managing and delivering complex projects in challenging environments.
Lucy Thomas OAM is the driving force of kindness behind Australia’s youth-driven movement against (cyber)bullying, hate, and prejudice. Alongside sister Rosie, they co-founded PROJECT ROCKIT straight out of high school, aiming to create more inclusive school communities. As a keynote speaker and facilitator, they’ve engaged with thousands globally, from Wangaratta to Texas.
Their work is honored by UNICEF, the Family Online Safety Institute, and the Medal of the Order of Australia. Leading Safety Advisory Boards for Meta, Snapchat, and government initiatives, they advocate for kindness and inclusion. A survivor of bullying, their TEDx talk, “Kindness: The ultimate rebellion against bullying,” inspires change.
Dr Kate Sim is the Director, Child Safety and Tech, at the University of Western Australia Tech & Policy Lab. She has over 14 years of experience in sexual violence prevention and response, having worked across community organizing, frontline support, government, academia, and industry in the US, UK, and South Korea.
Her research interests lie in examining the sociotechnical implications of developing technological fixes to solve structural violence that women and children experience. Most recently, she worked at Google where she directed child safety product policy on sextortion, grooming, and non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). Kate holds a PhD and MSc from the Oxford Internet Institute and BA in Gender and Sexuality Studies from Harvard University.
Harrison James is a survivor, award-winning activist, and Co-Founder of the ‘Your Reference Ain’t Relevant’ campaign.
After being sexually abused by his stepmother from the ages of 13 to 16, Harrison has become driven by his personal experiences and is dedicated to reforming Australia’s legal system for survivors.
For years he carried the weight of this secret in silence but now, at 23 years old, his tireless activism fuels legislative reform and spotlights survivor-led initiatives, showcasing resilience and determination in pursuit of justice and healing. His extraordinary journey has been a beacon of hope for countless individuals and his unwavering commitment inspires a safer world for all.
