MrDaniel Walsh

In 2023, I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology with first class honours at Deakin University. My research examined publicly available data from support service websites in order to understand how specialised services assist child victims of sexual abuse with intellectual disabilities and promote help-seeking through advertised strategies and methods.

I am currently undertaking a PhD in Criminology that examines how mainstream sexual violence services and disability support providers in Victoria respond to disclosures of sexual abuse against children with intellectual disabilities. My research investigates how practitioners interpret and operationalise mandatory reporting obligations, the extent to which responses are disability-informed, and whether support practices are accessible, timely, and responsive to children’s developmental and cognitive needs. By exploring how service systems and practitioners navigate these complex processes, my research addresses a critical gap in understanding how post-disclosure responses can better prioritise the safety, well-being, and rights of children with intellectual disabilities and their non-offending caregivers.

I am also a proud member of the Deakin Network Against Gendered Violence (DNAGV) dedicated to making a positive impact through his research and collaborations.