This trauma-informed microcredential program, developed in collaboration with Australian leading child protection reformist Hetty Johnston AM, Ansvar Insurance and Bond University, is designed to address the critical global issues of sexual assault, maltreatment and abuse among vulnerable populations, including children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. 

With concerning prevalence rates—32% of children in Australia having experienced physical abuse, 28.5% sexual abuse, and nearly 31% emotional abuse and 50 elderly per week (Mathews et al., 2023; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2021) the need for aware and responsive workforces is paramount. 

Additionally, recent data from the World Health Organisation (2022) reveals that 1 in 6 adults over 60 has encountered abuse, underscoring the importance of creating safe, supportive environments.

 

This microcredential will equip people at all levels of the workplace, as well as volunteers and parents with the confidence and safety skills to recognise abuse indicators, to respond effectively and to act in adherence to the various sector Safeguarding Governance Standards and Principles.

 
The program’s design supports flexible, sector-specific applications across various industries, including community care, education, healthcare, faith, sport and law enforcement.

 

With significant demand from key partners, this initiative not only enhances safeguarding competencies across sectors but also promotes best practices in trauma informed responses to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, coercive control and exploitation in order to establish a consistent standard of protection and support for vulnerable populations. 

 

The course offers a blend of interactive audio-visual content, case studies, and reflection exercises developed in collaboration with Hetty Johnston AM. Hetty is renowned child protection advocate who founded Bravehearts Foundation making it Australia's leading child protection organisation to now founding her new venture,  Safeguarding People Australia. With almost three decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to raising awareness about child sexual abuse and now focussing on creating strategies to protect children and vulnerable adults of all ages.