About the program
The anonymity, accessibility and affordability of online sharing platforms fuels the creation, accessing and distribution of child sexual abuse material and other forms of online child sexual exploitation of children. It is evident that more needs to be done earlier to disrupt and deter offending behaviour and protect children.
An online deterrence campaign offers a promising approach, backed by existing research evidence, which works with industry partners to deploy messaging that targets potential offenders, disrupting harmful behaviours and encouraging help-seeking for long-term behavioural change, ultimately protecting children.
Deterrence campaigns have proven to be effective in changing behaviours across various areas like smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, and crime prevention. By highlighting the benefits of change and the risks of harmful actions, these campaigns can reduce offending by disrupting networks, increasing risks for offenders, and reinforcing clear standards of behaviour.
International success stories, like Stop It Now! in the UK, show that deterrence campaigns can encourage help-seeking and prevent offending (Scanlan et al., 2024; Newman et al., 2024.
With online child sexual exploitation becoming an increasing problem in Australia, it is urgent that we bring this issue into the national conversation. An online deterrence campaign could address many of the existing gaps by:
- Using current knowledge to develop large scale messages which intervene earlier in the offending trajectory.
- Engage technology companies in meaningful collaboration to prevent offending.
- Build evidence on effective preventative efforts.
- Build public awareness of the prevalence and impact of online sexual exploitation to facilitate an environment where change can occur
- Advocate for stronger government action
- The Deterrence Campaigns sits within our child sexual abuse prevention efforts including the implementation of Stop It Now! Australia. Stop It Now! is a child sexual abuse prevention program which works with individuals concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviours towards children. It was first established by a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse in the U.S. 30 years ago, and we have been delivering the service here in Australia for over two years.
- The program’s key feature is an anonymous phone helpline for people who are worried about their own sexual thoughts and behaviours in relation to children, as well as professionals and family members who are concerned about the behaviour of others. The service also includes a website with advice, self-help materials and guidance to raise awareness around child abuse. Stop it Now! is dedicated to reducing or eliminating the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and seeks to achieve this by engaging with adults who may go on to harm children, and other protective adults. While the service can be accessed anonymously, all mandatory reporting guidelines are complied with.
About the role
Are you passionate about preventing harm before it begins? Do you have the strategic vision, collaboration skills, and innovative mindset to lead a groundbreaking online campaign? If so, we want you to join our team as the Deterrence Campaign Coordinator (0.6 FTE).
As the Deterrence Campaign Coordinator, you will lead the development and implementation of an innovative child sexual abuse prevention campaign. Collaborating with university researchers, technology companies, law enforcement, and other key stakeholders, you will lead the design, development and implementation of evidence-based deterrence messages across various online platforms. Your work will contribute to disrupting harmful behaviors, encouraging help-seeking, and creating lasting change to protect children from online sexual exploitation.
Competitive remuneration, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development as well as opportunities for personal growth.
What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:
- An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
- A welcoming and supportive relational environment
- A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
- Ongoing training and development related to your role
- Employee assistance program
- A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
- Generous leave
About you
This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:
- Demonstrated strong capabilities in project development and management including identifying and mitigating risks, monitoring milestones, managing competing priorities and delivering outcomes within deadlines
- Strong ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and community groups. Including experience in forming advisory groups and/or fostering collaborative partnerships to achieve shared goals.
- Experience driving behaviour change through the use of online resources and technology is desirable
- Demonstrated experience and expertise in planning, development, execution, and evaluation of campaigns or projects with comparable outcomes
- Knowledge regarding child sexual abuse prevention efforts is desirable. However, ability and enthusiasm to build knowledge regarding ethical considerations in addressing sensitive topics like online sexual exploitation of children is essential
How to apply
- Upload your resume and cover letter incorporating your responses to the Key Selection Criteria from the Position Description.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.
Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.
We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.
Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.
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