Safe and Sound: the safety of young people in residential care

Investigators

Associate Professor Tim Moore, Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur, Dr Steven Roche (Institute of Child Protection Studies); Associate Professor Dr Jodi Death (Queensland University of Technology); Professor Clare Tilbury (Griffith University)

Funding

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Aims

This study built on the Children's Safety Study for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It investigated young people's perspectives on safety within residential care settings, with a focus on understanding their views on how institutions identify, prevent, and respond to sexual abuse and problematic sexual behaviours among young residents.

Background

There are a range of individual and structural factors that lead to young people in residential care being more vulnerable to child sexual abuse and peer sexual violence. This project sought to deepen understanding of children's perceptions of safety within institutional contexts.

Research questions

1. What does safety mean to children and young people in the context of residential care?
2. How do children and young people perceive safety within residential care and what do they need to feel and be safe?
3. What are the safety concerns of children and young people in residential care?
4. What do children and young people consider is being done to prevent harm (by staff, other adults and peers) in residential care?
5. What do children and young people consider should be done to respond to safety issues in residential care?

Method

The research involved interviews with 12 young people with lived experience in residential care across Australia, collecting insights to guide safer institutional practices. It also conducted a collaborative workshop with youth and stakeholders, aimed at developing a youth-centred approach to addressing sexual abuse.

Key findings

1. Perceptions of safety: Young people identified a range of factors that contributed to their sense of safety, including trusting staff, having clear boundaries, and feeling heard and respected. Safety was not just about physical protection but also emotional and psychological well-being.
2. Safety concerns: Common safety concerns included fear of bullying, physical abuse, and sexual exploitation, particularly by peers or other residents. Many young people reported a lack of support when they raised concerns or felt unsafe.
3. Institutional responses: While some young people felt that staff were responsive to safety concerns, many expressed doubts about the effectiveness of current prevention measures. The study found that staff training on sexual abuse and harmful behaviours was inconsistent, and policies to safeguard young people were not always enforced.
4. Recommendations for improvement: Young people suggested that institutions should do more to create an open environment where they could safely report concerns without fear of retaliation. They recommended better staff training, stronger peer-to-peer interventions, and more opportunities for children to participate in decisions regarding their care.

Projected community impact

Overall, the study highlighted a need for systemic change in how residential care facilities address safety, emphasising the importance of a youth-centred approach to protecting children and ensuring their voices are heard in matters of safety and care.

Publications

Death, J., Moore, T., McArthur, M., Roche, S., & Tilbury, C. (2021). Young people's perceptions of sexual assault in residential care:" It does happen a lot". Journal of child sexual abuse, 30(1), 4-20.

Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Death, J. (2020). Brutal bullies and protective peers: How young people help or hinder each other's safety in residential care. Residential treatment for children & youth, 37(2), 108-135.

Moore, T., McArthur, M., Death, J., Tilbury, C., & Roche, S. (2018). Sticking with us through it all: The importance of trustworthy relationships for children and young people in residential care. Children and youth services review, 84, 68-75.

Moore, T., McArthur, M., Death, J., Tilbury, C., & Roche, S. (2017). Young people's views on safety and preventing abuse and harm in residential care: "It's got to be better than home". Children and Youth Services Review.

Moore, T., McArthur, M., Roche, S., Death, J., & Tilbury, C. (2016). Safe and sound: Exploring the safety of young people in residential care. Melbourne: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Sydney.

Practice papers

Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Roche, S. (2017). Safe and Sound: The safety concerns of young people in residential care. Issue 17, Research to Practice Series. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.

Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Roche, S. (2017). Safe and Sound: Creating safe residential care services for children and young people. Issue 18, Research to Practice Series. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.

Presentations

Institute of Child Protection Studies (2017). YouTube animation on young people's safety in residential care. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.

Project timeline

Completed 2017

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au