My Expertise
Children’s rights and child welfare
Research, teaching and advocacy on the rights, safety, participation and wellbeing of children and young people, particularly those affected by child protection, care, violence and institutional systems.
Indigenous children, Indigenous rights and the law
Expertise in the legal and human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities, including self-determination, cultural rights, sovereignty, connection to Country and the right of children to remain connected to family, community and culture.
Child protection and out-of-home care
Research and practice concerning child protection systems, statutory intervention, out-of-home care, care experience, family separation and reform. This work examines how systems can better uphold children’s rights and support culturally safe, family-led and community-controlled responses.
Child sexual abuse, exploitation and violence prevention
Expertise in responses to child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and violence, including prevention, safeguarding, survivor advocacy, trauma-informed practice, institutional responses and pathways to justice and accountability.
Trauma, violence and intergenerational harm
Research on the effects of trauma, violence and institutional harm on children, families and communities, including the continuing impacts experienced by First Nations children and survivors of forced removal and child protection intervention.
Institutional accountability and safeguarding
Research, policy and advocacy focused on preventing institutional abuse, strengthening oversight and improving accountability across child protection, education, care, health, justice and other systems responsible for children’s safety.
Youth justice and youth incarceration
Expertise in youth justice policy, the criminalisation of children, youth detention, incarceration, diversion, rehabilitation and community-led alternatives. This work examines the over-representation of First Nations children and young people in youth justice systems and advocates for rights-based, culturally safe and prevention-focused reform.
Criminal justice and law reform
Research and practice at the intersection of criminal law, human rights, child protection and social policy, focusing on how legal systems affect children, young people, survivors, First Nations communities and people experiencing structural disadvantage.
Domestic and family violence
Expertise in the effects of domestic and family violence on children and families, including safety, legal responses, child protection intervention, survivor-led approaches and culturally safe, trauma-informed services.
International engagement and responses to child welfare and Indigenous justice
International engagement on child welfare, Indigenous justice and human rights, including comparative policy, legal reform, international advocacy, knowledge exchange and collaboration with Indigenous organisations, institutions, researchers and practitioners. This work contributes to global discussions about the rights of Indigenous children, self-determination, cultural continuity, child protection, youth justice, institutional accountability and community-led approaches to safety and justice.
Teaching, professional education and practice
Teaching and professional development across children’s rights, child protection, Indigenous rights, safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, youth justice, criminal justice and law reform. Vanessa’s approach connects academic research with lived experience, frontline practice, community knowledge and policy development.
Keywords
Biography
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a proud Bundjalung Widubul Wiabul woman, human rights lawyer, bestselling author, scholar and survivor advocate. She is a leading Australian voice on child welfare, child protection, children’s rights, Indigenous rights and safety.
Vanessa completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, graduating with First Class Honours. She also studied at the University of...view more
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a proud Bundjalung Widubul Wiabul woman, human rights lawyer, bestselling author, scholar and survivor advocate. She is a leading Australian voice on child welfare, child protection, children’s rights, Indigenous rights and safety.
Vanessa completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, graduating with First Class Honours. She also studied at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School in the United States, where she examined the intersections of child welfare and Indigenous rights. She is a Fulbright Scholar, former Commissioner and PhD candidate.
Vanessa’s research and professional practice span child protection; children’s rights; Indigenous children and the law; responses to child sexual abuse and violence; domestic and family violence; institutional accountability; youth justice and incarceration; and the criminal justice system. Her work examines how legal, social and institutional systems affect First Nations children, families and communities, and advocates for culturally safe, rights-based and accountable approaches.
As a survivor of forcible removal, Vanessa brings lived experience together with cultural authority, legal expertise, scholarship and advocacy. Her work centres the rights, safety and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including their right to remain connected to family, community, culture and Country.
Vanessa is the author of Long Yarn Short: We Are Still Here, a published work that reflects her commitment to truth-telling, resilience, justice and the voices of First Nations people. She has also published scholarly articles examining the experiences of First Nations children and young people, including the implications of trauma and violence for children, families and communities.
Her work combines research, teaching and practice. Vanessa contributes to professional and public education across child protection, children’s rights, Indigenous rights, safeguarding, child sexual abuse and violence prevention, youth justice, incarceration and institutional accountability. She works with communities, organisations, governments, national bodies and international partners to strengthen systems that protect children and uphold the rights of First Nations families and communities.
In 2019, Vanessa was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal in recognition of her leadership and advocacy. Through her research, legal and policy work, teaching, writing, public speaking and consulting, she contributes to national and international efforts to advance First Nations sovereignty, children’s rights, justice, safety and self-determination.