Child sexual abuse and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities
A Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for service providers
Wondering why so few CALD victims/survivors access your services?
Come and learn about what’s holding them back from speaking up, the barriers may be steeper than you realise. Once you know what they are, you can deliver a safe and compassionate service to someone who walks through your door and may have no one else to turn to.
Course offerings
Each Module is available for free, but payment is required for CPD certification. Prices are consistent with the Australian Association of Social Workers’ (AASW) industry standards. If CPD certification is not required, you can make a donation.
Module 1 - Introduction
Do you have concerns about the term ‘CALD’? If left unchecked, the limitations of terminology can unconsciously impact on your practice in unsafe ways.
Module 2 - Prevalence
What caution do you exercise with prevalence data of child sexual abuse across different countries and cultures? We can’t have this conversation without talking about racism.
Module 3 - Myths and responses
Do you think CALD communities are equally susceptible to myths such as ‘stranger danger’ as Anglo communities? What is cross-culturally unique and universal?
Module 4 - Treatment
Should frontline practitioners be more responsible for delivering ‘cultural competency’ or their service organisation? What do these specifically entail?
Module 5 - Interpreters
This module is for practitioners who engage interpreters for matters relating to sexual assault and/or domestic violence, and interpreters to reduce risk of harm to clients.
Module 6 - Summary
What are the key ‘take home messages’ in such a complex area? What can you not afford to forget? And where to from here?
Full Course
Completing the full course will boost your confidence and competence in ethical practice, while helping protect the cultural safety of CALD communities.
Did you know…?
Academics are not fully paid for their research. They donate billions in unpaid labour each year. Recognition is also starkly unfair. In Australia, only 2% of Professors are women of colour. The rigorous research that underpins this CPD program is based on $45K worth of unpaid labour. If you wish to obtain CPD certification you will need to make a payment, otherwise your donation helps recover this cost. In advance, thank you for supporting women of colour scholars to help ensure their knowledge, expertise, and labour are not dismissed, devalued, overlooked, and unpaid.
What to pick
If your time is limited, or you just want to ‘sample’ first, you can work through each Module separately and then add as you go.
Paying for the Full Course gives you 5 hours CPD and attracts a 10% discount compared to paying for each Module separately. Here, you are committing to work through all six modules.
If you are a practitioner, researcher, or policy maker, it is recommended you complete the Full Course as this is in the best interest of CALD victims/survivors of child sexual abuse.
If you are an interpreter looking for a short professional development course, Module 5 has been designed for you. You’re welcome to engage with the Full Course too.
Program features
You are in charge of your time
All modules are self-paced. There is no expiry date. CPD Certificates are issued immediately upon payment.
Share your knowledge
You can contribute to Discussion Forums to share your practice wisdom if you choose.
Listed as culturally sensitive
After completing all six Modules, your service organisation will be listed on the ‘No More Silence’ Project website.
Actually, I’m nervous to enrol…
No one really talks about this topic, so maybe you’re thinking you should stay silent too? If any of the thoughts or questions here are on your mind, it might be time to find a spark of courage and learn more. When you feel more confident about your knowledge, you will be better placed to help someone who rarely gets it. This course can transform your understanding of what culturally safe and compassionate work really means.
FULL COURSE: I’m worried about getting it ‘wrong’ when working with CALD victims/survivors of child sexual abuse.
MODULE 1: I have concerns about the term ‘CALD’ but can’t quite put my finger on it. Are there other better terms?
MODULE 2: I trust numbers and research data as accurately reflecting the objective truth, but should I?
MODULE 3: Do groups differ in their belief of myths about child sexual abuse, and what impact does that have on the mental health of victims/survivors?
MODULE 4: What exactly should practitioners and organisations be doing? Is there a checklist I can consult so I don’t feel overwhelmed by the complexity?
MODULE 5: I am an interpreter engaged for matters involving sexual assault or domestic violence, but did not feel my knowledge was sufficiently developed.
MODULE 6: What are the real key issues in this area, and how can I join the conversation to continue growing the sophistication of theory, knowledge, and practice?
Okay, how does the program work?
*Note: CPD Certificates will now be issued via email after payment is received (not immediately upon course completion as stated in the video).
About the instructor
Dr Pooja Sawrikar is the leading academic in this area in Australia but the course is for international audiences too
Dr Sawrikar was an academic for 20 years at the Department of Psychology at The University of Sydney (2000-2005), Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales (2005-2014), and School of Human Services and Social Work at Griffith University (2010-2020). Her PhD is in Psychology and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Social Work/Social Policy. She has taught over 10,000 students Psychology and Research Methods subjects, conducted commissioned research for Australian state and federal governments and national and international NGOs, helped attract $4m+ external funding, served as a journal editor, and invited to 10 keynote addresses. Her research areas and 60+ publications cover racism, sexism, child protection, domestic violence, culturally appropriate service delivery, culture, migration, mental illness, and social cognition. She is currently the Founder and Director of Scholar Freedom; designed to redress inequity in academic publishing.
100+ practitioners from 50+ organisations have already completed this course!
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“This program is interesting and thought provoking.”
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“I liked being presented to as colleagues/professionals on an intellectual level and not ‘dumbing down’ the contents.”
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“I liked best Pooja’s knowledge in this area. I really enjoyed the deconstruction of data and looking behind the stories.”
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“I loved the acknowledgement of the complexity of the area and your ability to express this – but also propose a way forward.”
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“I have gained a stronger vocabulary in which to discuss this topic. Absolutely fantastic presentation – thank you so much for your time and wisdom.”
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“I liked everything. I really enjoyed Pooja’s approach to delivering this information. It was so engaging and informative. I just wanted to hear more. It was so interesting and relevant as a sexual assault counselor.”
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“This program was one of the most comprehensive child sexual abuse and cultural competence training I have been to. It got the point across without upsetting white people, but giving a need for further learning and reflection.”
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“I liked best the facilitator and the content. It was a refreshing/informative session, tapping onto anthropological and psychological concepts that operate on service providers, so that we can increase our awareness on unconscious biases when assisting “diverse” people.”
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“Everything was relevant. Very comprehensive information. Most frank factual approach, especially in relation to societal and other factors/barriers impacting this sector. Very insightful and thorough. Very well delivered. Outstanding presentation style. Impressive session. Addressing sensitive areas/issues with sensitivity and also with absolute honesty.”
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“I thoroughly enjoyed Dr Sawrikar’s presentation. It was both enlightening and educational. The content was fleshed out with fact, theory, and experience – awesome event! I commend Dr Sawrikar in starting a difficult conversation. I liked the resources and group discussion – it helped to process the information. The facilitator’s passion helped to take note and self reflect.”
FAQs
I’m not from Australia, what does ‘CALD’ mean?
‘CALD’ stands for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and refers to non-Indigenous and non-Anglo communities in Australia. The term is also used in New Zealand and Canada. People in the UK will know this group as ‘BAME’ (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic), and people in the US will know this group as ‘POC’ (person of colour).
Is this program only for Australians?
No. The program’s focus is on migrant and refugee communities in Western countries (English and non-English dominant). However, it can still be used by those in non-Western countries (South America, East Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Caribbean, Pacifica, etc.).
Has this program been CPD-endorsed?
This course was CPD-endorsed by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) when it was first launched in 2019, but not since then for cost reasons.
Which backgrounds do service providers typically work in?
Registrants may work in a range of areas including sexual assault, domestic and family violence, child protection, mental health, and/or migrant and refugee community welfare.
I am an educator, should I complete this program?
There were plans to engage with culturally diverse schools to enhance learning about how to respond to disclosures of child sexual abuse by CALD students in culturally appropriate ways. However, this research was not conducted due to lack of funding. In the interim, this program can still help, as well as educators in childcare centres and tertiary education (e.g. TAFE, colleges, universities, etc.).
I am a parent, can I complete this program?
Yes. You might be a parent/guardian from a CALD community who is curious about this program’s content. The course material may help you deeply understand things you have been grappling with in your family. While the program’s focus is on culturally sensitive service delivery, you are welcome to engage with knowledge that can make you feel empowered. It may start a journey of seeking further help, and can help protect your children from perpetrators better. If you are able to understand this website, you will have the required English proficiency to engage with the program. Your confidentiality is strictly assured and protected; no one will know you have engaged unless you tell them.
Do I have to watch the Learning Videos?
Yes, the Learning Videos are prerequisites for CPD Certificates of Completion. They are all captioned for accessibility. They go for 3.5 hours in total (across all six Modules), and can be viewed at any time. The PowerPoints can be downloaded, so you can follow along with a hard copy. You can access the materials as often as you like (Learning Videos, PowerPoints, additional readings, course/module outlines, Discussion Forums).
Do I have to engage in the Discussion Forums?
No, engagement is completely your choice; your right to privacy and self-determination are respected. You may not engage at all, or you may do it privately. Sharing with others does offer you the potential for in-depth transformative learning. All questions are open-ended; they do not ‘test’ knowledge. Posts that promote respectful dialogue are sought. Unethical posts that are racist, sexist, classist, disablist, ageist, or homophobic will be removed. (NOTE: you can make posts anonymously).
You said in your intro video this program has been evaluated, where can I read that report?
This course was first delivered in face-to-face mode in four cities around Australia - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. It was rigorously evaluated before being converted to online mode. The report with the findings of that study can be found here.
Who the program is for
Counsellors, social workers, psychologists, and legal advisors
Complete the Full Course for holistic knowledge.
GPs and psychiatrists
Complete the Full Course, noting Module 4 will be most relevant.
Researchers, program trainers, and policy developers
Complete the Full Course, noting Modules 1-3 will be most relevant.
Interpreters
Complete Module 5. Module 1 is recommended. Consider Full Course.
Parents/guardians, educators, and volunteers
Complete the Full Course for holistic empowerment.
What we respect
Your limited time and resources
Your right to privacy and confidentiality
Your right to self-determination
Your right to knowledge and desire for empowerment
Your personal strength and wisdom
Your care for the safety and well-being of children
Your desire for intellectual challenge and stimulation
Your desire to be compassionate to yourself and others
What you will get
Confidence in your knowledge
Competency in ethical and informed decision-making
Deeper understanding about yourself
Contact and support
Program content
Do you have a private query or comment you would like to make about the program?
Higher education
Are you doing a Masters or PhD in this area, and want thesis editing or external supervision?
Collaborations
Do you have ideas for industry-based or international research collaborations?
Invitations to speak
Would you like to discuss possible presentations at your organisation?
Technical support
Payment is a simple process, but if you hit a snag please email at any time.
Email address
Your contact is welcome: p.sawrikar@promotingwomeninacademia.com
Discounts for organisations
Enrolling 5-10 staff
10% discount pp. from Full Course
Enrolling 11-20 staff
20% discount pp. from Full Course
Enrolling 30+ staff
30% discount pp. from Full Course
Looking to make this course mandatory?
Organisations can adopt this course as mandatory for all their staff. The training foregrounds child sexual abuse and cultural competency, but also addresses patriarchy and white privilege - knowledge required for safe and equitable institutional work practice and non-rhetorical demonstration of commitment to racial justice.
Myths and misconceptions
There’s a gap between what people believe and the truth - knowledge is the only thing that can close it.
It’s a Western problem
The truth is … child sexual abuse is a problem in every country and culture. This myth can lead to complete shock and disbelief by CALD parents, but when their children are not believed they are at high risk for severe mental ill-health.
It’s normal because libido is
The truth is … child sexual abuse is a crime. Perpetrators overestimate the ability of children to give consent as a way of trying to reduce their culpability/blameworthiness. Child sexual abuse is a criminal abuse of power.
Most perpetrators are strangers
The truth is … more than 90% of child victims/survivors have been abused by someone they know (fathers, step-fathers, uncles, cousins, teachers, neighbours, other children, etc.).
Children who have been abused will be fine
The truth is … up to 80% of victims/survivors experience some mental ill-health as a result of childhood sexual abuse. Severe ill-health can include post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
It’s essentially universal
The truth is … some parts of the psychosocial experience of child sexual abuse is shared across cultures and some of it is not. Unless we understand similarities and differences, we do children from all groups a disservice.
Knowledge is power
These are only some myths and misconceptions about child sexual abuse, there are many more. If you believe or are shocked and remain afraid of them, the effect is silence. Even if unintentional, silence condones the abuse of children. Slowly taking a look inside to face what is hard, challenging, and scary can be a small but important and powerful step in the right direction. The effects will last well into the future across the generations of your family.
Where do I start?
Click below to select the Full Course, or browse the modules of interest to you.
We all share a desire for the right to full and unapologetic personhood, but we do not share access to that right equally
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which I live, and pay my respects to Indigenous elders past and present for their custodianship of land, culture, language, and tradition, and guidance through and survivorship of colonial dispossession, oppression, and trauma across generations
