Jessica Rudd will be in conversation with Sonia Orchard for her In the National Interest edition, Before the Harm: Preventing Abuse, Protecting Children.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Stories of child sexual abuse appear in the media weekly, often framed as isolated incidents. But child sexual abuse and exploitation is one of Australia’s most pervasive human rights challenges, affecting over a quarter of children. The ripple effect – the burden on mental health, drug and alcohol services – means all Australians pay for the damage wrought by these crimes. Yet we continue to see a crisis to respond to rather than a harm that could be prevented.
In Before the Harm, Sonia Orchard challenges this reactive model. Drawing on interviews with leading voices including Jess Hill, Grace Tame and Professors Ben Mathews, Michael Salter and Daryl Higgins, alongside research and accounts from survivors and offenders, she shows that abuse is neither random nor unknowable. It often follows recognisable pathways – and this gives opportunities for meaningful interventions.
We know that policing is chronically underfunded, that tech companies’ reluctance to make platforms accountable leaves kids at risk, that grooming is on the rise. But there is a growing body of evidence for prevention measures to better protect children in homes, online and in the community. Clear-eyed and compelling, Before the Harm reframes one of our most confronting social issues – and shows that protecting children begins long before a crime is committed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sonia Orchard is an award-winning author and a leading voice advocating for systemic reform in the prevention of child sexual abuse. Her memoir Groomed (2025), which chronicles her experience navigating the justice system as a complainant in a historic case, weaves lived experience with neuroscience, culture and law, and has helped catalyse national conversation and action. Since its publication, she has received widespread responses from survivors and engaged with policymakers, presented at conferences and appeared widely in national media, contributing to growing momentum for prevention-focused reform. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from RMIT University and works with marginalised communities, using storytelling as a tool for agency, advocacy and change.
Location
Avid Reader Bookshop
193 Boundary Street, West End QLD 4101
Tickets
Free, but bookings essential. Book here.