System responses to child sexual abuse
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.
Government response
On 16 June 2026 the Queensland Government announced its response to In Plain Sight: Review into System Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, committing to a significant package of reforms aimed at strengthening Queensland’s safeguarding system and preventing child sexual abuse across Queensland.
The reforms respond directly to recommendations from the review and are designed to strengthen Queensland's ability to identify risks earlier, connect information more effectively and prevent harm before it occurs.
The government's response outlines a range of reforms designed to strengthen Queensland's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to risks to children. Key reforms include:
- establishment of a Queensland Protection Commission as a dedicated child safeguarding agency
- creation of a Child Safeguarding Intelligence Hub to support the identification of emerging risks and patterns of concerning behaviour, and opportunities for earlier intervention
- creation of a Child Safeguarding Intelligence Network to improve information sharing across government agencies and other entities with child safeguarding responsibilities
- integration of child safeguarding functions, including worker screening and reportable conduct oversight, to strengthen prevention and risk management.
Together, these reforms are intended to improve information sharing, strengthen accountability and support earlier identification of risks to children.
We welcome the government's response to the review and its commitment to strengthening Queensland's safeguarding system. These reforms represent an important step towards a Queensland where risks are identified earlier, information is better connected, and children are better protected from harm.
Read the Queensland Government response to the In Plain Sight report.
Podcast
The In Plain Sight podcast series examines the Child Death Review Board’s recent review of system responses to child sexual abuse.
Across seven episodes, we take you through the insights, findings and recommendations of the review, from the lived experience of children and families, through the blind spots in systems, the decisions made by institutions and people, and ultimately toward what prevention and reform must look like if we are serious about safeguarding the future.
We look at what we’ve learned and where we need to go from here.
Watch or listen:
Reflections from the Board
Watch the full playlist on YouTube
Queensland's child safeguarding system - how it has evolved
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.