About ACSSA

The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA) was established in 2003 by the Commonwealth Office for Women. It is funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and is hosted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Role of the Centre

ACSSA is a central collection point for research, information and resources about sexual assault in Australia.

Our key role is to facilitate access to the growing evidence-base on sexual assault and to support organisations, agencies and others use research and evidence in shaping policy, practice and research directions in responding to, and reducing, sexual assault.

We collect, synthesise and summarise developments in:

Research and information services

Publications and news

Publications of the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault are disseminated to a network of clients through regular paper and electronic publications.

For soft copies, subscribe to the ACSSA alert mailing list - a monthly email alert which will notify you of any new publications available on the ACSSA website.

For hard copies, join the mailing list to receive Aware: ACSSA Newsletter, published quarterly, ACSSA Wrap, published twice a year and ACSSA Issues, also published twice per year.

The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault is seeking contributions to its Newsletter. If you are interested in writing a short review of books, conferences, workshops or projects, or an article on significant issues in sexual assault, the Clearinghouse would be pleased to hear from you.

Research support

Information helpdesk

Staff at the Australian Institute of Family Studies library are available to assist with queries.

Information Helpdesk staff can be contacted by phone +61 3 9214 7888, by fax +61 3 9214 7839 or by contacting the Library.

Research helpdesk

The Research helpdesk is available for professionals and research staff working in the sexual assault field.

If you wish to request specialist information or advice from the ACSSA research team, please see the ACSSA Research Helpdesk Service page for more information.

AIFS library collection

Through the Australian Institute of Family Studies Library, we collate the latest research, literature and other information resources relevant to adult sexual assault. Anyone can search the Australian Institute of Family Studies Library catalogue.

Electronic resources in the catalogue are available directly via their web address. Print resources are available via the inter-library loan system. Contact your oranisation's library or your local library for details of this system.

Outreach and communication services

ACSSA staff speak on key issues facing the sexual assault sectors in a range of forums such as seminars, workshops, conferences, or invited presentations.

News and updates from around the country are communicated and exchanged through ACSSA's website and ACSSA alert, our monthly email update.

Reference group

An external reference group has been established to inform the work of the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA).

The primary role of the Reference Group is to assist in the identification of research priorities and provide expert advice to the Centre. It will also assist in identifying the information needs of key stakeholders; assist in developing strategies to reach key stakeholders; and provide other advice or perspectives as required.

The group will meet face-to-face twice a year, with additional meetings conducted via teleconference as needed.

Staff at the Centre

Dr Antonia Quadara - ACSSA Coordinator
Haley Clark - Senior Research Officer
Deb Parkinson - Senior Research Officer
Bianca Fileborn - Research Officer
Mary Stathopoulos - Research Officer
Susan Fooks - Web Officer
Carole Jean - Reference Librarian

 

For further information about ACSSA see "Introducing the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault" by Adam Tomison in Aware: ACSSA Newsletter No.1.