Keynote Speakers Announced for 2026 ISPCAN International Congress in Melbourne

World-leading child protection event will convene global experts to advance new approaches to safety and healing

June 18, 2026 — MELBOURNE, Australia — The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) and Australian Childhood Foundation today announced the keynote speakers for its 2026 International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect, taking place August 24–26, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.

Recognised as one of the world’s most significant global gatherings dedicated to child protection, the Congress will bring together more than 1,000 multidisciplinary professionals from across research, policy, practice, and lived experience to address urgent and evolving challenges facing children and families worldwide.

The Congress will be followed by the second annual ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Forum on August 27, to build global momentum for coordinated, evidence-based action.

Under the theme “Transforming Approaches to Safety and Healing,” the 2026 Congress will explore how the field can move beyond traditional models toward more integrated, prevention-focused, and culturally grounded systems of care. The program will highlight emerging research, practice innovations, and cross-sector collaboration that strengthen child protection systems and support healing for children, families, and communities.

“The Congress comes at a critical moment for the field,” said Lori Frasier, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Penn State and Scientific Chair of the ISPCAN 2026 Congress. “As the nature of risk continues to evolve—from digital environments to global crises—we must accelerate how we translate research into practice and build systems that not only respond to harm, but actively support healing and long-term wellbeing.”

Lynne McPherson, PhD, Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee and Director of Research at the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care, added, “By centering culture, community leadership, and the voices of young people, we can advance approaches to child protection that are both evidence-based and deeply responsive to the realities families face.”

Global Keynote Speakers

The 2026 keynote program will spotlight global leaders driving critical shifts in child protection—from Indigenous-led and culturally grounded models to system reform and survivor-informed prevention strategies.

• Professor Denise Wilson (Aotearoa New Zealand), an internationally recognized expert in Māori health, will highlight culturally responsive approaches to preventing family and sexual violence and improving outcomes for Indigenous communities.
• Catherine Liddle (Australia), CEO of SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children, will bring a leading voice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions, governance, and early childhood systems reform.
• Professor Robbie Gilligan (Ireland), a leading voice in child welfare and social policy, will challenge the field to reimagine systems that not only ensure safety, but actively support children to grow stronger and thrive.
• Dr. Tata Sudrajat (Indonesia), a pioneer in child protection reform, will share lessons from national efforts to strengthen systems and advance deinstitutionalisation in diverse cultural contexts.
• Professor Sigrid James (Germany/USA), a global expert in residential care, will draw on cross-national research to explore how different systems respond to the needs of vulnerable children—and what can be learned across contexts.
• Emma Håkansson (Australia), a survivor and advocate, will offer a powerful perspective on prevention, autonomy, and how lived experience can reshape responses to child sexual abuse.

The ISPCAN International Congress is known for its global, multidisciplinary approach, convening professionals across social work, medicine, law, psychology, public health, and allied fields. The 2026 program will explore a wide range of topics, including prevention and early intervention, trauma-informed care, digital safety, youth justice, and culturally responsive approaches to healing and recovery.

The full Congress program, including additional speakers and sessions is now available on the event website: https://ispcan.org/congresses/melbourne-2026/

About ISPCAN
The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) is the world’s leading global membership organization dedicated to improving the prevention, detection, and response to child abuse and neglect through a public health approach. With a multidisciplinary network of professionals across more than 190 countries, ISPCAN connects research, practice, and policy to strengthen systems of care and protect children worldwide. For more information, visit ispcan.org.

About Australian Childhood Foundation

Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading national organisation dedicated to the safety, wellbeing and healing of children who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect. For more information visit childhood.org.au