Not everything is imaginary: Children's conceptualisations of interpersonal safety

Issue 11 of the Institute of Child Protection Studies Research to Practice Series

Authors: Dr Tim Moore, Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur

The ICPS Research to Practice Series links the findings of research undertaken by the ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies, to the development of policy and practice in the area of child, youth and family welfare. Issue 11: Not everything is imaginary: Children’s conceptualisations of interpersonal safety explores children and young people’s conceptualisations of interpersonal safety, and what gives rise to these perceptions.

This issue is based on the findings of the first part of a study conducted by ICPS, commissioned by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which examined children’s experiences and perceptions of safety in institutions. This component of the study included focus groups with 121 children and young people aged 4-18 in the ACT, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, and included three focus groups with young carers, students at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school, and children and young people in out-of-home care.

Issue 11 should be read in conjunction with Issue 12, which explores children and young people’s views about safety in institutions, what they believe makes an institution safe for children and young people, and what advice they would give adults about dealing with their safety needs.

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