Project activities and outcomes

We engaged with victims and/or survivors of child sexual abuse or exploitation who are currently located in Australia (the experience of abuse does not need to have occurred within Australia). We were particularly interested in hearing from victims and survivors whose lived experience includes knowledge that visual imagery or other content exists that depicts their abuse or exploitation. This material is often referred to as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

We worked with our participants in the following ways:

Anonymous survey

We invited victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to take our anonymous survey, whether or not CSAM was part of their lived experience. The purpose of the survey was to gather information about awareness and understanding of legally sanctioned use of CSAM by institutions to counter child sexual abuse. The survey attracted 87 victim and survivor respondents, who provided a range of viewpoints based on their lived experiences. The survey responses provide a strong basis for our recommendations.

The anonymous survey is now closed.

One-on-one Interviews

We conducted thirteen one-on-one interviews with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse where CSAM is part of the lived experience. These conversations enabled participants to share detailed insights relating to their experience of institutional use of CSAM. We heard a range of perspectives in which the complexities and nuances of institutional CSAM use provided a rich set of considerations for our recommendations. Many of the interview participants found the experience a particularly positive one; feeling that they were being heard and able to contribute to change.

For me talk with Kelly was so powerful, while I’ve done a lot of counselling, psychology and worked on my inner healing every day the 1-1 interview was something that gave me a feeling of finally speaking out for Little Me, it gave me hope that Little Me’s voice and story will make a difference for others into the future.
SB, Lived experience advisor

In an earlier phase of this research, we interviewed professionals with experience in organisations that use CSAM to counter abuse, to understand issues and opportunities from an operational perspective.

The one-on-one interviews are now concluded.

We thank all of our participants for giving us their valuable time and perspectives, and especially, victims and survivors for their bravery in participating.

Validation and communication of research findings and recommendations

Now that the survey and interviews are complete, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse with CSAM experience have been invited to review and comment on our findings and recommendations for policy and practice. Once finalised, we want to work with victims and survivors to help communicate these to broader communities (victims and survivors, law enforcement, justice, researchers, the general public, and so on).

We hope to have our findings and recommendations published by February 2025. Please bookmark this website and check back here for our final reports and other materials. Alternatively, follow the AiLECS Lab on LinkedIn; Bravehearts on Facebook or Instagram; or our research fellow Kelly on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.