Against the Ropes

A proud Waka Waka man with a deep-rooted connection to culture and country, Steve Ball is a coach, lived experience expert, and Case Manager for Bravehearts, one of Australia’s leading child sexual assault services.Steve dedicates his life to supporting adult survivors of child sexual abuse, guiding them through the complex journey of healing and recovery. His work is especially crucial for survivors of organisational and institutional abuse, helping them access the national redress scheme and find justice. Steve uses his personal experience to break cycles of shame and fear, advocating for trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approaches. Steve’s passion lies in creating safe spaces where survivors are not just heard but truly believed and supported.

We confront a disturbing reality: the exploitation of children on Social Media. Collective Shout has tirelessly exposed how predators are drawn to underage accounts, and alarmingly, social media platforms recommend these accounts to others. More troubling, some parents are complicit, pushing their children into the limelight as kidfluencers, unwittingly or deliberately exposing them to these dangers and sexploitation.Why are social media companies allowed to engage in practices that would be unacceptable elsewhere? What is the impact on the children who are exploited?Lyn Swanson Kennedy from Collective Shout, a leading voice in the fight against this exploitation joins our host Kelly Humphries in a delve into the dark side of social media fame and the urgent need for stricter regulations to protect our children. Join us!

In this episode of Off the Cuff Kel speaks to campaigner, freelance writer and author of 'Sex Dolls, Robots and Woman Hating', Caitlin Roper, about child sex abuse dolls. What are they? What is the legislation? Can they prevent real life abuse? Or do they normalise and encourage it?

AI weaponization, sextortion, and the exploitation of young people are on the rise, creating a digital nightmare for vulnerable youth. 

Did you know the average age of first exposure to pornography is 11 years? We are at a critical juncture in our nation's history as the pervasive influence of pornography distorts views on consent, sexual behaviour, healthy relationships, and aggression.This episode brings an urgent & compelling discussion with leading experts. Melinda Tankard Reist, acclaimed author, journalist, and co-founder of Collective Shout, dedicated to combating the sexualisation of girls & women. Joining her is Maha Melhem, Director of Melhem Legal & Consulting, with extensive experience in policy reform for child safety playing a pivotal role in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.Tune in as we illuminate how early exposure to pornography shapes harmful sexual behaviours in young people. These insights & advocacy are crucial for understanding & addressing this pressing issue. Don't miss this vital 2 part conversation!

Want to uncover some profound truths? Dr. Michael Salter is a leading expert in child sexual exploitation, a criminology professor at UNSW, and the author of pivotal works like "Organised Sexual Abuse." With over fifty academic papers, his research spans mental health, law enforcement, and internet safety.Chair of the Grace Tame Foundation and former president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, Dr. Salter is dedicated to protecting children, with his work impacting change globally.Join your host Kelly Humphries and Dr. Salter to shed light on the often-hidden world of familial perpetration of online offending. The faces. The facts. It's real. This episode is essential for anyone passionate about safeguarding children and making a difference. Don’t miss this uncovering of vital truths.

Why is the telling so hard? The disclosure dilemma warrants brave discussion. Your host, Kelly Humphries knows only too well. Kel is joined by a panel of experts determined to change how we support and respond to survivors.Professor Lynne McPherson, Lead Chief Investigator for critical research funded by the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse. Her work focuses on ethically empowering survivor voices in research.Dr. Corina Modderman, Chief Investigator and Discipline Lead for Social Work at La Trobe Rural Health School, brings a strong social justice perspective to our discussions.Also with us is Dr. Kathomi Gatwiri, Chief Investigator and award-winning researcher committed to improving the well-being of minoritized populations.Together, we delve into a pivotal discussion that seeks to revolutionise systems supporting disclosure. You can help! Join our live audience and be part of this transformative conversation!

In a world often obscured by stats and distant headlines, is a raw, unfiltered narrative—the voice of lived experience. This is the heart behind groundbreaking research on the Survivor's Perspective on institutions and their use of abuse material in the fight against online sexual abuse.Joined by (2021) Australian of the Year and advocate Grace Tame, a resounding voice for survivors, Assoc/Prof Campbell Wilson, whose expertise illuminates the academic perspective, and Steve Ball, a Lived Experience Advisor whose personal journey offers invaluable insights.Our host Kel Humphries, a survivor; is the research lead- working with Monash Universities' AiLECS', partnering with Bravehearts, and funded by the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse. This will be a stirring episode with perspectives unheard, and an invitation to stand with survivors and advocates alike to impact change.Together, we can make a difference. Join us!

This guest gives a whole new perspective on ‘time is love,’ through the lens of a survivor and passionate educator and advocate. John Cardamone is stepping up, and he is on a mission to inspire courage, compassion and understanding for adult survivors, and advocating in early intervention and prevention for child sexual abuse Dedicating the last 10 years educating children, families and organisations, through sharing his story, John hopes to show the journey toward healing can be an opportunity for survivors to navigate their future and thrive, his belief; healthy connection and a sense of belonging is the key to prevention.  Join Kel and John in an inspiring and empowering conversation giving a new insight into grooming, flipping the perspective to show just how perpetrators can manipulate the most powerful of emotions to take advantage of kids. Join us!

This guest packs a punch and in this episode, you will find yourself punching on with Boxer, Survivor, Podcaster, and amazing all-round human, Tiffanee Cook, and your host, Kelly Humphries. In an epic bout, “Against the Ropes,” Tiff has punched well above her weight to challenge the world and punch life fair in the face. ‘The Boxer,’ by Mark Seymour, a new release song inspired by the resilience, tenacity and courage of this fair dinkum Aussie survivor gives us all hope we can stick to the fight.  Join Kel and Tiff in a deeply authentic, raw, and refreshingly honest conversation about challenging yourself, rising up against the odds and fighting back when you’re “Against the Ropes.” You would be crazy to miss this inspiring episode!