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Amanda L. Robertson

Adjunct Research Fellow - Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University

Dr Amanda Robertson is a postdoctoral researcher with prior industry experience in the NSW education sector supporting schools to manage various aspects of child protection and safeguarding. It was in this capacity that she became interested in the phenomenon of female-perpetrated sexual abuse and subsequently pursued research on the topic. Amanda’s doctoral project focused on adult-perpetrated sexual abuse against adolescents in Australian schools, including consideration of women’s perpetration and gender bias. It examined the nature of the problem, its antecedents, and the ensuing institutional responses to ultimately recommend a series of prevention strategies for secondary educational settings. Her research interests broadly encompass sexual offending, child sexual abuse, institutional settings and organisational safeguarding.

Experience

  • 2023–2023
    Research Officer, National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
  • 2017–2020
    Child Protection Consultant, A.L. Robertson Consultancy
  • 2014–2016
    Child Protection Advisor, Association of Independent Schools of NSW
  • 2010–2013
    Assessment Officer, NSW Department of Education Child Wellbeing Unit
  • 2008–2009
    Child Protection Caseworker, Department of Family and Community Services (NSW)

Education

  • 2023 
    Griffith University, Doctor of Philosophy
  • 2017 
    Griffith University, Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • 2007 
    University of Sydney, Bachelor of Science (Honours – Psychology)
  • 2006 
    University of Sydney, Graduate Diploma of Psychology
  • 2005 
    Australian Catholic University , Bachelor of Social Science

Publications

  • 2023
    “It's a preventable type of harm”: Evidence-based strategies to prevent sexual abuse in schools, Child Abuse & Neglect
  • 2021
    Understanding Adolescent Girls in Custody Using the Multidimensional Inventory of Development, Sex, and Aggression (MIDSA), Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
  • 2019
    A commentary on the potential impact of online communities and crime-related media on the criminal justice system: ‘do you know more? … join the investigation’, Current Issues in Criminal Justice

Professional Memberships

  • ANZSOC
  • SVRPU University of the Sunshine Coast