This paper aims to contribute to the task of evaluating Queensland’s efforts to cultivate trauma and attachment informed residential care environments. This is achieved, firstly, by identifying broad therapeutic goals and core therapeutic tasks of trauma and attachment informed residential care based on an examination of the theoretical and research literature. The paper then considers...

A significant number of men in Australia are victims of child sexual abuse. While a growing number of services offer therapeutic support and counselling for men, the issue of men's sexual victimisation has not become a public policy issue. It is suggested that conceptualising and responding to male sexual victimisation will help to improve community...

The blue card system was introduced in 2001 to address widespread community concerns about the number of children who had been exposed to significant levels of abuse in service environments intended to promote their safety and wellbeing. The system was further strengthened on 31 May 2006 to include screening requirements for foster and kinship carers...

This paper assesses whether the blue card system (designed to help prevent the abuse of children) has made for safer service environments for children and young people in Queensland. The blue card system plays a critical part in the prevention of abuse and practices that may place children at risk of harm when they are...

While it is not mandatory for people to identify their cultural background when applying for a blue or exemption card, the Commission monitors the information provided to assist it in appropriately targeting and tailoring education activities to meet the needs of particular groups. Since the inception of the blue card system in 2001, and the...