Harmful Thoughts (2022) | Jayne Crossling, Emma A. Jane, Georgia Naldrett & Michael Salter

Australia is facing a child sexual abuse epidemic. Brought to
light by The Royal Commission and stories of high-profile
survivors, the numbers are shocking, and the online world is even
worse. But this is not a crimewave we can arrest our way out of. 
Criminal justice is not enough, and the revulsion child sexual
abuse inspires can paralyse more effective responses. However,
there is a window for child sexual abuse prevention, if we
are not too scared to seize it. It’s time to engage earlier with
people concerned about their sexual thoughts or behaviours
towards children, so that fewer children become victims in
the first place. 


Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling has been a member of the
Australian Federal Police for 32 years. For the past five
years she has been responsible for the oversight of teams
investigating human trafficking, online child sexual exploitation
and cybercrime. 


Emma A. Jane is an Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney where she
researches the social and ethical impacts of emerging technology.
Her book, Diagnosis Normal, explores the complex combination of
childhood sexual abuse, mental illness and a late autism
diagnosis that led to her being who she is today, as well as
exploring the impact each has on so many others in society.


Georgia Naldrett is the Stop It Now! Australia Manager, a
 program which aims to prevent child sexual abuse by
offering anonymous support and advice to individuals concerned
about their sexual thoughts or behaviours towards children, as
well as affected family members and professionals. She is a
psychology graduate with a BSc(hons) in Psychology and
a MSc in Forensic Psychology. 


Dr Michael Salter is the Scientia Associate Professor of
Criminology at the University of New South Wales, where he
specialises in the study of child sexual abuse and
exploitation.