sexual-offences

It's time to rethink how we treat child sex offenders

But having spoken to several over the years, I now can.

Some readers may find the concepts in this article confronting.

Many were damaged as children, and while that is no excuse, healing that damage may be the most effective way to prevent the sexual abuse of children.

You might find this approach scandalous, or think that I'm supportive or lenient or condoning the abuse of children. I am not.

I am not an apologist for anyone who hurts, or even thinks about hurting, a child.

Universities can't solve the problem of sexual assault on their own

We fully expect the results to be challenging.

The agreement to do this survey was forged almost two years ago. Vice-chancellors at 39 of our universities asked an independent body — the Australian Human Rights Commission — to survey their students to highlight what more needs to be done.

This is a global challenge. It is a community challenge. And it's one that university leaders want to address, but none of us can solve it on our own. All of us — university leadership, students and staff — can help to shift understanding and attitudes.

The scale of the problem

Rolf Harris likeness removed from Melbourne mural celebrating Australian icons

The 50-metre mural on the side of the historic Dimmeys building in the inner suburb of Richmond features dozens of portraits of famous Australians.

Dimmeys commissioned artist Hayden Dewar to paint the mural in 2003 in celebration of the department store's 150th anniversary.

Dewar said the disgraced entertainer's depiction in the mural had been on his mind since Harris was convicted of indecent assault in 2014.

Ballarat child sex abuse survivor seeks to inspire hope through photography

Peter Blenkiron's photographs are on show at the Art Gallery of Ballarat alongside video diaries and a documentary film about his story of abuse at the hands of Christian Brothers.

Blenkiron is seeking healing from the debilitating legacy of abuse that was inflicted on him as an 11-year-old by a St Patrick's College Christian Brother.

He says he wants the exhibition to inspire hope in other abuse survivors.

"There is a story that goes with the shots which shows that journey of hope and light no matter how dark it gets," he said.

Sexual assault: What is your university doing to prevent it?

And it's not an urban legend.

Sexual assault counselling services around the country have disclosed that the number of calls for help from female university students increases during and immediately following Orientation Week events at Australian universities.

"There are always increased reports of sexual assault around O-week," said Chrystina Stanford, CEO of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. "Sometimes the increase comes just after O-week when things have settled down a bit."