Preventing child sexual abuse
Explore resources designed to help principals and school staff build a positive and safe school environment to help prevent child sexual abuse.
Schools are important settings for preventing child sexual abuse. Research shows (opens external website in a new window) that children and young people have experienced sexual abuse both by adults and peers in institutions, such as schools, that are meant to be caring for them.
Abuse is also more likely to occur (or go unreported) in institutions lacking accessible child safety policies and where authority, silence, or reputation override children’s safety and ability to disclose harm.
On this page, you will find Foundation to Year 12 resources designed to help schools prevent child sexual abuse, including a suite of resources developed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (opens external website in a new window) . This guidance complements existing state and territory training on child sexual abuse and draws on academic research and expert opinion to provide best-practice advice. All resources are curriculum-aligned and support the principles of the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. You can also find a dedicated list of support services at the National Office for Child Safety (opens external website in a new window) .
Looking to promote student-led learning? Check out our student topic pages filtered by year level, where students can explore age-appropriate wellbeing information and resources independently.
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Discover resources for the classroom
Explore the following resources for in-classroom strategies and support.
Child protection teaching and learning resources: NSW Government
This resource from the NSW Government explores safe and unsafe relationships.
Teacher's toolkit - sharing content and being ‘share A.W.A.R.E’
Build on students’ critical thinking skills to prevent sharing content considered to be online child sexual exploitation material.
Warning signs and emergencies
What are key considerations for teaching CALD students? Use this annotated lesson plan for ideas.
Foster a whole-school approach
Explore the following resources for strategies, policies and research relevant to the wider school environment.
What does prevention of child sexual abuse in schools mean?
Part 3 of a suite of resources for staff and principals to use in building a positive and safe school environment that will help prevent child sexual abuse.
What teachers and school staff can do to prevent child sexual abuse
Part 5 of a suite of resources for staff and principals to use in building a positive and safe school environment that will help prevent child sexual abuse.
Supporting schools and school principals on the prevention of child sexual abuse
Part 1 of a suite of resources. These recommendations have been developed for school staff and principals to use in building a positive and safe school environment that will help prevent child sexual abuse.
Engage with parents, carers and community
Share and discuss the following resources with parents and carers in your school community.
Consent and sexual consent: talking with children and teenagers
Tips for parents for talking about consent with children and teenagers. Suitable for 2-18 years.
eSafety Parents: Sexting
Find information about the serious issue of sexting and discover ways to support your child to understand the consequences.
eSafety Parents: Unwanted contact and grooming
Learn about online grooming and procuring of children via the internet and your role in protecting your child.
One Talk at a Time
The 'One Talk at a Time' song teaches children and young people about their bodies’ warning signs, not keeping secrets and talking to trusted adults.
Talking about sensitive topics with your child and the school
Advice for parents about discussing sensitive topics with their children and the school.
Deepen your understanding
Gain insights and deepen your understanding of this topic with research and professional learning opportunities.
What is child sexual abuse?
Part 2 of a suite of resources for staff and principals. This document provides a definition of child sexual abuse.
State and territory guidance and training for schools on preventing child sexual abuse
Part 6 of a suite of resources for staff and principals to use in building a positive and safe school environment that will help prevent child sexual abuse.
Reflection tool: What schools can do to protect against child sexual abuse
Part 7 of a suite of resources for staff and principals. This tool is designed to help school principals and staff think through what they currently do to prevent child sexual abuse.
Our Watch: Whole school approach toolkit
Access respectful relationships resources that will assist you to change practices in key areas.
Links to further education and training
Australian Childhood Foundation CIS Training for teachers eSafety Commissioner It's time we talked Kidpower NAPCAN Safe4KidsPrompt a discussion
Spark staff discussion and reflection with these practical questions aligned to the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework.
What classroom role-play activities can help students practise using their voice to recognise, refuse and report unsafe situations?
Do our school policies clearly outline how staff should document, escalate and share concerns about child sexual abuse?
How can we co-design clear child safety communication with parents and carers so that concerns about harmful behaviour are identified and acted on early?
Can our PD improve staff confidence in recognising subtle indicators of sexual abuse, including avoidance or fear of specific people?
Discover ways to use the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework in your school.
