The Child Death Review Board (the Board) completed its review into system responses to child sexual abuse in Queensland in December 2025, using the case of a convicted offender of child sexual abuse as a case study. The review made recommendations for improvements needed to the laws, policies, procedures and practices across the early childhood education and care, police and Blue Card systems.
The Queensland Government referred this matter to the Board in December 2024. The Board completed the review under section 29I of the Queensland Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (Qld). The final report was released on 8 December 2025.
We sincerely thank every victim-survivor, parent, carer, frontline worker, and child safeguarding expert who made a submission.
Warning
This report may cause distress for some people. It contains information relating to the incidence and prevalence of child sexual abuse, the motivations and behaviours of people who sexually abuse children, and outlines specific incidences of child sexual abuse. If you need support please refer to the services listed at the bottom of this webpage.
In Plain Sight: Review into System Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
In Plain Sight is the product of a 12-month review completed by the Board. The review examined System responses to child sexual abuse, with a focus on the early childhood education and care sector, police services, and the blue card system, using the matter of Ashley Paul Griffith as a case study.
The report is titled In Plain Sight because those who seek to harm children are too often operating openly in our community, visible to systems, neighbours and institutions, yet unseen for who they truly are and for the risk they pose to children.
Part F: Preventing child sexual abuse
Part F focuses on prevention of child sexual abuse. It discusses a whole of system approach to prevention, including education for children, parents and early childhood staff, and contextual prevention approaches to enhance the safety of early childhood education and care services.
Queensland's child safeguarding system - how it has evolved
This video explores how Queensland's child safeguarding system has evolved.
1800RESPECT (24 hours): 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120
Lifeline (24 hours): 13 11 14
13YARN Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support (24 hours): 13 92 76
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Bravehearts: 1800 272 831
Victims Assist Queensland: 1300 546 587
Reporting allegations or suspicions of child sexual abuse
Every Queenslander has a responsibility to report child sexual abuse.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).
You can report child sexual abuse to PoliceLink (24 Hours) on 131 444 and the Department of Child Safety.
Last updated:
8 December 2025