Carol Ronken
@carolronken.bsky.social
(she/her) (on Kombumerri land)
Director of Research at Bravehearts, an Australian charity working to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation. Views, my own.
#kindnessmatters #bekind
Director of Research at Bravehearts, an Australian charity working to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation. Views, my own.
#kindnessmatters #bekind
Today, on National Police Remembrance Day, we pause to honour & remember the bravery and dedication of police officers across the country. Their service often goes beyond what the public sees, risking their lives to protect communities & uphold justice #NationalPoliceRemembranceDay #CommunitySafety
September 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Today, on National Police Remembrance Day, we pause to honour & remember the bravery and dedication of police officers across the country. Their service often goes beyond what the public sees, risking their lives to protect communities & uphold justice #NationalPoliceRemembranceDay #CommunitySafety
Parents play a critical role as primary protectors in the prevention of child sexual abuse. Research consistently highlights the importance of parental awareness, open communication, and proactive engagement in fostering protective environments.
#NCPW2025 #EveryConversationMatters #ChildProtection
#NCPW2025 #EveryConversationMatters #ChildProtection
September 9, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Parents play a critical role as primary protectors in the prevention of child sexual abuse. Research consistently highlights the importance of parental awareness, open communication, and proactive engagement in fostering protective environments.
#NCPW2025 #EveryConversationMatters #ChildProtection
#NCPW2025 #EveryConversationMatters #ChildProtection
I have been having incredible conversations around resiliency and what sustains us in the work we do.
Every day, our teams hold space for people navigating profound trauma. To do this work, we need to feel safe: safe to speak up, safe to lean on each other, and safe to know that our voices matter.
Every day, our teams hold space for people navigating profound trauma. To do this work, we need to feel safe: safe to speak up, safe to lean on each other, and safe to know that our voices matter.
September 4, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I have been having incredible conversations around resiliency and what sustains us in the work we do.
Every day, our teams hold space for people navigating profound trauma. To do this work, we need to feel safe: safe to speak up, safe to lean on each other, and safe to know that our voices matter.
Every day, our teams hold space for people navigating profound trauma. To do this work, we need to feel safe: safe to speak up, safe to lean on each other, and safe to know that our voices matter.
Recent revelations of systemic child abuse within Australian childcare centres have sparked outrage and underscored critical failures in safeguarding protocols. Ben Mathews' recent @aunz.theconversation.com piece highlights the need to a prioritise child safety.
theconversation.com/10-steps-gov...
theconversation.com/10-steps-gov...
10 steps governments can take now to stamp out child sexual abuse in care settings
Recent horrific allegations of sexual abuse in early childhood education and care centres could be a turning point for Australia. Here’s what needs to happen next.
theconversation.com
July 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Recent revelations of systemic child abuse within Australian childcare centres have sparked outrage and underscored critical failures in safeguarding protocols. Ben Mathews' recent @aunz.theconversation.com piece highlights the need to a prioritise child safety.
theconversation.com/10-steps-gov...
theconversation.com/10-steps-gov...
No matter how many horrific stories of sexual harm I hear, it always impacts. Every child deserves to feel safe and valued, especially in environments designed to nurture their growth and development. Preventing sexual abuse in childcare centres is imperative.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
What parents need to know about the Melbourne childcare allegations
A health response has been initiated in Victoria after a childcare worker was charged with sexual assault offences against eight children at a south-west Melbourne facility. Here's what authorities ha...
www.abc.net.au
July 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
No matter how many horrific stories of sexual harm I hear, it always impacts. Every child deserves to feel safe and valued, especially in environments designed to nurture their growth and development. Preventing sexual abuse in childcare centres is imperative.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
Children and young people are not just users of technology, they are innovators, creators, and future leaders. Yet, their voices are often missing from the rooms where tech policy is made. Let’s shift the narrative: #TechPolicy must be co-designed with young people, not just for them.
#YouthVoices
#YouthVoices
June 16, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Children and young people are not just users of technology, they are innovators, creators, and future leaders. Yet, their voices are often missing from the rooms where tech policy is made. Let’s shift the narrative: #TechPolicy must be co-designed with young people, not just for them.
#YouthVoices
#YouthVoices
In my humble opinion, addressing bullying requires collective action from schools, families, tech platforms, and communities to promote kindness, accountability, and safe environments both online and offline.
#KindnessMatters#StopBullying #BullyingPrevention #StandUpToBullying
#KindnessMatters#StopBullying #BullyingPrevention #StandUpToBullying
www.news.com.au
June 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
In my humble opinion, addressing bullying requires collective action from schools, families, tech platforms, and communities to promote kindness, accountability, and safe environments both online and offline.
#KindnessMatters#StopBullying #BullyingPrevention #StandUpToBullying
#KindnessMatters#StopBullying #BullyingPrevention #StandUpToBullying
It is important to understand that sexual abuse doesn’t begin with violence. It often begins with grooming.
#ChildProtection #Grooming #GroomingAwareness #GroomingHidesBehindHarmless #SexualAbusePrevention #TraumaInformedCare #SupportSurvivors
bravehearts.org.au/about-child-...
#ChildProtection #Grooming #GroomingAwareness #GroomingHidesBehindHarmless #SexualAbusePrevention #TraumaInformedCare #SupportSurvivors
bravehearts.org.au/about-child-...
What is Grooming? | Bravehearts
Being aware of the signs of grooming helps us understand the steps we can take to better protect children from child sexual abuse.
bravehearts.org.au
June 1, 2025 at 10:38 PM
It is important to understand that sexual abuse doesn’t begin with violence. It often begins with grooming.
#ChildProtection #Grooming #GroomingAwareness #GroomingHidesBehindHarmless #SexualAbusePrevention #TraumaInformedCare #SupportSurvivors
bravehearts.org.au/about-child-...
#ChildProtection #Grooming #GroomingAwareness #GroomingHidesBehindHarmless #SexualAbusePrevention #TraumaInformedCare #SupportSurvivors
bravehearts.org.au/about-child-...
The @childrenscomm.bsky.social called on the UK govt to ban apps that generate deepfake images of children. We need all govts to recognise that ‘nudify apps’ are designed to harass, abuse and extort victims, and to ban these apps and ensure removal from all app stores.
tinyurl.com/yebhd48d
tinyurl.com/yebhd48d
Press Notice: Children’s Commissioner calls for immediate ban of AI apps that enable ‘deepfake’ sexual abuse of children | Children's Commissioner for England
“I’m worried this could happen to me” – children tell Commissioner they fear becoming a victim of apps that use Generative AI to create sexually explicit
tinyurl.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The @childrenscomm.bsky.social called on the UK govt to ban apps that generate deepfake images of children. We need all govts to recognise that ‘nudify apps’ are designed to harass, abuse and extort victims, and to ban these apps and ensure removal from all app stores.
tinyurl.com/yebhd48d
tinyurl.com/yebhd48d
This morning I read the below article - it is heartbreaking to hear that, over 21 years since the release of the Protecting Children report (and countless other State and Territory reviews), children and young people are having the same experiences within the system.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...
Child safety staff looking for missing 14yo did 'safety' check with child sex abuser
An ABC investigation into the $2 billion residential care system finds children in three of the biggest states are being preyed upon by child sex abusers when they should be safe in state care.
www.abc.net.au
May 12, 2025 at 11:36 PM
This morning I read the below article - it is heartbreaking to hear that, over 21 years since the release of the Protecting Children report (and countless other State and Territory reviews), children and young people are having the same experiences within the system.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...
The theme of this year's National Families Week #NFW25 IS "Lending a hand to thrive: supporting each other".
Studies show the crucial role family members can play after abuse has been identified, especially when they are properly supported.
#NationalFamiliesWeek #LendingAHandToThrive
nfw.org.au
Studies show the crucial role family members can play after abuse has been identified, especially when they are properly supported.
#NationalFamiliesWeek #LendingAHandToThrive
nfw.org.au
National Families Week – An initiative of Families Australia
nfw.org.au
May 11, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The theme of this year's National Families Week #NFW25 IS "Lending a hand to thrive: supporting each other".
Studies show the crucial role family members can play after abuse has been identified, especially when they are properly supported.
#NationalFamiliesWeek #LendingAHandToThrive
nfw.org.au
Studies show the crucial role family members can play after abuse has been identified, especially when they are properly supported.
#NationalFamiliesWeek #LendingAHandToThrive
nfw.org.au
#FridayMorningThoughts I had a conversation last night, with a colleague. We were talking about how important it is to be surrounded by people who inspire us to be the best we can be, who allow us to spread our wings (rather than try to clip them!).
#Connectedness #Belonging #Support
#Connectedness #Belonging #Support
May 9, 2025 at 12:13 AM
#FridayMorningThoughts I had a conversation last night, with a colleague. We were talking about how important it is to be surrounded by people who inspire us to be the best we can be, who allow us to spread our wings (rather than try to clip them!).
#Connectedness #Belonging #Support
#Connectedness #Belonging #Support
Sexual offending by females is both under-reported and under-recognised. Recognising female sex offenders is imperative for ensuring justice and support to all victims.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Females’ Engagement in Offline and Online Sexual Offending and Their Interactions With the Criminal Justice System: A Gender and Age Comparison - Isabelle Hull, Larissa S. Christensen, Nadine McKillop...
This study aimed to extend limited extant knowledge of female-perpetrated sexual offenses, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offenses, that enter the...
journals.sagepub.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Sexual offending by females is both under-reported and under-recognised. Recognising female sex offenders is imperative for ensuring justice and support to all victims.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
As a white Australian, I always feel such a strong sense of connection when listening to Welcome to Country. This is not just an acknowledgment of the incredible history of this land we all live on, but is a sign of respect and protocol which dates back to traditional times prior to colonisation.
April 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
As a white Australian, I always feel such a strong sense of connection when listening to Welcome to Country. This is not just an acknowledgment of the incredible history of this land we all live on, but is a sign of respect and protocol which dates back to traditional times prior to colonisation.
Reposted by Carol Ronken
So privileged to do meaningful work. A joint submission I’m coordinating calling for the abolition of corporal punishment in Australia has made its way to key international research leaders in the field. Honoured they are reaching out to endorse.
April 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
So privileged to do meaningful work. A joint submission I’m coordinating calling for the abolition of corporal punishment in Australia has made its way to key international research leaders in the field. Honoured they are reaching out to endorse.
Today is Youth Homelessness Matters Day #YHMD25
Youth homelessness is a growing issue, driven by family violence/breakdown, system failures, housing affordability, social isolation and poverty. Join the call for a national strategy to end youth homelessness: yfoundations.org.au/yhmd-petition/
Youth homelessness is a growing issue, driven by family violence/breakdown, system failures, housing affordability, social isolation and poverty. Join the call for a national strategy to end youth homelessness: yfoundations.org.au/yhmd-petition/
YHMD Petition
Yfoundations works to create a future without youth homelessness providing policy support, sector development and research to government, the sector and the community. We aim to raise awarness through...
www.yfoundations.org.au
April 16, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Today is Youth Homelessness Matters Day #YHMD25
Youth homelessness is a growing issue, driven by family violence/breakdown, system failures, housing affordability, social isolation and poverty. Join the call for a national strategy to end youth homelessness: yfoundations.org.au/yhmd-petition/
Youth homelessness is a growing issue, driven by family violence/breakdown, system failures, housing affordability, social isolation and poverty. Join the call for a national strategy to end youth homelessness: yfoundations.org.au/yhmd-petition/
Over the weekend I watched the documentary series, ‘Bad Influence’, on #Netflix. The series investigates the risks associated with content creation involving minors, addressing allegations of abuse and exploitation.
#Kidfluencers #BadInfluence #ChildExploitation
abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/n...
#Kidfluencers #BadInfluence #ChildExploitation
abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/n...
Netflix’s ‘Bad Influence’ puts the world of child influencers under microscope
"Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing," a three-part docuseries, premiered April 9 on Netflix.
abcnews.go.com
April 14, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Over the weekend I watched the documentary series, ‘Bad Influence’, on #Netflix. The series investigates the risks associated with content creation involving minors, addressing allegations of abuse and exploitation.
#Kidfluencers #BadInfluence #ChildExploitation
abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/n...
#Kidfluencers #BadInfluence #ChildExploitation
abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/n...
Up at 3:30am to board my flight to Sydney at 5:30am… settled in for a quick breakfast at Darling Harbour before an all day workshop (developing a Children’s Online Privacy Code with Reset Tech an the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner)
April 6, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Up at 3:30am to board my flight to Sydney at 5:30am… settled in for a quick breakfast at Darling Harbour before an all day workshop (developing a Children’s Online Privacy Code with Reset Tech an the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner)
I recently was doing a bit of a deep dive into client engagement in therapeutic processes. We recognise the importance of understanding a client’s engagement and the implications for positive outcomes.
#TherapeuticIntervention #ClientOutcomes
www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/blog/complia...
#TherapeuticIntervention #ClientOutcomes
www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/blog/complia...
Compliance vs Engagement | Mental Health Academy
This article clarifies the distinction between compliance and engagement, highlighting how they influence therapeutic outcomes.
www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au
April 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I recently was doing a bit of a deep dive into client engagement in therapeutic processes. We recognise the importance of understanding a client’s engagement and the implications for positive outcomes.
#TherapeuticIntervention #ClientOutcomes
www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/blog/complia...
#TherapeuticIntervention #ClientOutcomes
www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/blog/complia...
Research indicates a strong correlation between experiencing sexual trauma and the development of significant mental health challenges in boys and men. We urgently need to remove the barriers that prevent boys and men from speaking out and talking about traumatic experiences.
Men wait an average of 21 years before telling anyone they were sexually abused. A new study looks at why men often don’t disclose sexual abuse and assaults.
‘We don’t have a cultural place for men as victims’: why men often don’t tell anyone about sexual abuse
theconversation.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Research indicates a strong correlation between experiencing sexual trauma and the development of significant mental health challenges in boys and men. We urgently need to remove the barriers that prevent boys and men from speaking out and talking about traumatic experiences.
Reposted by Carol Ronken
All you need to know about Twitter
March 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
All you need to know about Twitter
When we think of resources for online safety, we often focus on primary and secondary schools.
For all of my amazing, university contacts, eSafety has resources specifically tailored for tertiary professionals.
#OnlineSafety #TertiaryEducation
www.esafety.gov.au/educators/to...
For all of my amazing, university contacts, eSafety has resources specifically tailored for tertiary professionals.
#OnlineSafety #TertiaryEducation
www.esafety.gov.au/educators/to...
www.esafety.gov.au
March 23, 2025 at 11:24 PM
When we think of resources for online safety, we often focus on primary and secondary schools.
For all of my amazing, university contacts, eSafety has resources specifically tailored for tertiary professionals.
#OnlineSafety #TertiaryEducation
www.esafety.gov.au/educators/to...
For all of my amazing, university contacts, eSafety has resources specifically tailored for tertiary professionals.
#OnlineSafety #TertiaryEducation
www.esafety.gov.au/educators/to...
Reposted by Carol Ronken
Adele’s excellent and truly disturbing Four Corners story on childcare on Monday night has sparked a NSW inquiry. In August, Four Corners will have been holding truth to power for 64 years. We are grateful for your support.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
NSW government to launch inquiry into troubled childcare sector
A parliamentary inquiry has been called into the troubled childcare sector following a landmark ABC investigation into serious safety breaches in the industry.
www.abc.net.au
March 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Adele’s excellent and truly disturbing Four Corners story on childcare on Monday night has sparked a NSW inquiry. In August, Four Corners will have been holding truth to power for 64 years. We are grateful for your support.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03...
Attending the #Brisbane launch of the brilliant (I want to be her when I grow up) Jess Hill’s Losing It: Can we stop violence against women and children
#booklaunch #LosingIt
#booklaunch #LosingIt
March 20, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Attending the #Brisbane launch of the brilliant (I want to be her when I grow up) Jess Hill’s Losing It: Can we stop violence against women and children
#booklaunch #LosingIt
#booklaunch #LosingIt
It is critical to take a holistic approach to preventing child sexual abuse. In this article, @mike-salter.bsky.social and Kelly Maree Austin explore the barriers to support for secondary prevention programs.
#CSAprevention #SecondaryPrevention #PoliticalWill
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
#CSAprevention #SecondaryPrevention #PoliticalWill
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Policy barriers to child sexual abuse secondary prevention programs in Australia
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 h...
www.tandfonline.com
March 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
It is critical to take a holistic approach to preventing child sexual abuse. In this article, @mike-salter.bsky.social and Kelly Maree Austin explore the barriers to support for secondary prevention programs.
#CSAprevention #SecondaryPrevention #PoliticalWill
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
#CSAprevention #SecondaryPrevention #PoliticalWill
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...