Supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study of not-for-profit community and legal organisations in Greater Western Sydney

Butler, LJ; Lawton, A; Kalali, P

Supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study of not-for-profit community and legal organisations in Greater Western Sydney

Butler, LJ Lawton, A

Kalali, P

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Publisher:: Wiley
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian Journal of Social Issues, 2023, 58, (4), pp. 926-941
Issue Date:: 2023-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Butler, LJ
dc.contributor.author	Lawton, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3273-2391
dc.contributor.author	Kalali, P https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2532-2113
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-30T00:40:33Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-30T00:40:33Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Australian Journal of Social Issues, 2023, 58, (4), pp. 926-941
dc.identifier.issn	0157-6321
dc.identifier.issn	1839-4655
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/175043
dc.description.abstract	Before, during and since the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013–2017), not-for-profit community and legal services have been critical in supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of community and legal service practitioners operating in Greater Western Sydney regarding the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the service system for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 practitioners at 15 community and legal services. Through thematic analysis, the study identified five areas of concern regarding service provision and COVID-19, including difficulties in navigating shifts to remote service delivery; changes in service accessibility; complications in accessing the National Redress Scheme; safety challenges for clients; and safety challenges for practitioners. The research identified a need for services to finesse frameworks that ensure remote services can be delivered safely for clients and practitioners alike. Priorities include adequate funding for technology and infrastructure, supporting survivors of abuse perpetrated online and encouraging effective coping strategies for practitioners who undertake trauma support work from home. Future research should consider how shifts to remote service delivery have impacted survivors of different demographic groups and the survivor support workforce.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Wiley
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian Journal of Social Issues
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/ajs4.269
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	16 Studies in Human Society
dc.subject.classification	General Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
dc.subject.classification	44 Human society
dc.title	Supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study of not-for-profit community and legal organisations in Greater Western Sydney
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	58
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/lnstitute for Public Policy and Governance
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Architecture
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2024-01-30T00:40:32Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	58
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Before, during and since the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013–2017), not-for-profit community and legal services have been critical in supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of community and legal service practitioners operating in Greater Western Sydney regarding the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the service system for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 practitioners at 15 community and legal services. Through thematic analysis, the study identified five areas of concern regarding service provision and COVID-19, including difficulties in navigating shifts to remote service delivery; changes in service accessibility; complications in accessing the National Redress Scheme; safety challenges for clients; and safety challenges for practitioners. The research identified a need for services to finesse frameworks that ensure remote services can be delivered safely for clients and practitioners alike. Priorities include adequate funding for technology and infrastructure, supporting survivors of abuse perpetrated online and encouraging effective coping strategies for practitioners who undertake trauma support work from home. Future research should consider how shifts to remote service delivery have impacted survivors of different demographic groups and the survivor support workforce.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/175043