Founded in 2015, Body Safety Australia promotes childhoods free from violence where children enjoy equitable and respectful relationships.

Body Safety Australia is a not-for-profit organisation providing collaborative community solutions to foster robust, respectful relationships with children and young people.

Our evidence-based strategies and programs empower and educate children and young people, their families, and professionals in the home and school environments, offline and online.

Body Safety Australia provides a suite of programs including:

Body Safety Superstars!: Protective behaviours and body safety education.
Naked Truths: Navigating respectful relationships, sex and sexuality online.
Unique You!: Responsive, inclusive and age-appropriate relationships and sexuality education.
Gender Glorious: Examining gender bias in education settings and promoting gender and sexuality inclusivity and equity.
Speaker Program: Presentations on strengths-based prevention education, LGBTIQA-inclusivity, and community engagement.

We have a strong commitment to provide all communities with body safety education that celebrates children of all socio-economic status, religions, abilities, sexuality and/or family structure.

Why Whole Community?

When we engage an entire community, children are supported at home, at school and online and the onus of protection is taken from our most vulnerable and placed squarely on the adults who care for them.

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Body Safety Australia is committed to keeping children and young people safe by empowering the whole community in primary prevention education. We value and empower children and young people's voices in our programs.

We acknowledge the diversity in our communities and provide all our highly qualified (and screened) staff with written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children, steps and procedures to report any disclosures and providing support during the process.

To learn more, please view our Child Safety and Code of Conduct Policies

Culture change occurs when communities are supported in modelling, asking for, and respecting consent so that it becomes the standard for young people to uphold as they become adults. Children are taught, not only their right to bodily autonomy, but their responsibility to respect the bodies and feelings of their peers. Body Safety Australia is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2015 to promote childhoods free from violence where children enjoy equitable and respectful relationships. We celebrate diversity and respect for all. We have specialised knowledge and experience in faith-based schools, special schools, LGBTIQA & CALD communities, and other marginalised groups.

Values 4 transparent.png — Values

Our commitment to supporting these values is reflected in the fact that we are a women-led organisation with a commitment to addressing and reducing bias against marginalised peoples. Our team is comprised of individuals from varied communities including; LGBTIQA+, Aboriginal, disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse.

Our Team

A message from Deanne Carson

Founder & CEO

From the first time I taught sex education I was hooked. I loved the giggles, the children’s connection to their families, and their curiosity about navigating relationships.
But I quickly found out that for many children, families don’t work like they should. I was introduced to the heartbreak of family violence, sexual abuse and the ways gender stereotypes limit children’s self esteem.
This led to years of research on how we could turn things around for children who weren’t experiencing free and happy childhoods. And so Body Safety Australia was born.
As a queer woman and single mum, I knew there were some groups who are under-represented and supported in relationships and sexuality education. It is my constant goal to centre the voices of marginalised young people and their communities.
”The better we understand how identities and power work together from one context to another, the less likely our movements for change are to fracture.” - Kimberle Williams Crenshaw

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Superstar Educators

After completing my Bachelors in Psychology I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with BSA, opening my eyes to both the horrors of violence against children, as well as the joy in helping children find their voice. '

After teaching my first class with some extremely curious and energetic year 2’s I was hooked.

I love working with children of all ages, parents and teachers in building confidence around preventing abuse.

As an Aboriginal women I feel privileged to be able to support communities and families like my own in areas they are so often under supported.

I am a mother and arts based psychotherapist specialising in the treatment of trauma in childhood sexual abuse survivors.

My background is working with children experiencing terminal conditions and their families in an effort to gain closure through the transition.

I have a history in performing arts with a passion for play, curiosity and creativity inviting all to explore, express and embrace their unique selves.

In my free time you'll find me pouring myself into creative writing, hiking through forests, foraging through flea markets and connecting with my community

May Lyn web bio pic.png — May-Lynn Parley

My passion for child development and mental health began long before I’d made the choice to become a mental health professional.

As a teenager I had recognised that the combined lack of mental health education, wellbeing support and knowledge of available services during my schooling put me at a greater risk for developing mental health issues later in life.

Now as an adult, that foresight has led to many opportunities to teach and advocate for children, youth and families with similar experiences. I have volunteered at local Neighbourhood Houses, worked in various roles within the mental health sector and as an early learning educator with the hopes of reaching as many people as possible.

My current studies in the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences and Certificate IV in Mental Health have equipped me with the knowledge and skills to confidently support children and young people. I am proud to be part of the Body Safety Australia team in their efforts to empower all children.

I enjoy writing music, playing board games, baking sweet treats and spending quality time with my cat.

My background is in primary education as both a classroom teacher and principal.

I am passionate about empowering children and youth through knowledge.

I have worked in a variety of educational settings and countries from rural Victoria to indigenous communities in the NT to Southern Africa, the Philippines and the Middle East.

When I’m not baking or hanging out with one of my nieces or nephews, then I love travelling the world and doing things that people tell me I can’t… like getting my scuba diving license (interesting only because I’m a paraplegic!)

I’m a Clinical Psychotherapist and registered Supervisor with PACFA. My background and specialty is Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation & trauma healing work.

I started with BSA in Sydney before relocating to Melbourne last year. Working with young people, educators and caregivers to facilitate the body safety, sexual health and healthy relationships programs has been so rewarding.

Being on the prevention end of intervention is a welcome balance to my rehabilitation work.

My passion is travel and with my only son now living in London, I’ve the best reason to keep travelling as well as exploring my lovely new home state of Victoria.

I have a background in Psychological and Gender studies.

I am committed to social justice and I believe educating and empowering children and communities is necessary for healthy development and equality.

I am very happy to be part of the team at Body Safety Australia and look forward to contributing towards the cause.

In my free time I like to dance and sing loudly, usually off key with my own lyrics.

Jodie web bio pic.png — Jodie le Vesconte

Many years of my life were spent travelling around the countryside in a Toyota Tarago with a bunch of actors performing to students of all ages in theatres, school halls and classrooms.

The plays that I was attracted to, the ones I wanted to be in told stories of the oppressed, voiceless, the powerless in our society and the young audiences were awed by the theatricality and intensity of these all too familiar stories.

I remember seeing a touring play when I was in high school and thinking ‘that, I want to do that’. It wasn’t as glamorous a job as I’d imagined in my 14 year old brain but still immensely rewarding and a whole lot of fun.

When I transitioned into drama teaching I did my best to make my classroom a safe creative environment where students were invited to bring their skills, interests, experiences and dreams into a collective space.

It gave me the utmost joy to see the kid deemed as ‘the naughty kid absolutely shine in the drama room with razor sharp focus and wit. Or the one with crippling shyness slowly but surely coaxed out of their shell to become a confident individual who now has a lifelong love of Drama.

I’m thrilled to be joining this incredible team of educators to empower children with crucial life-saving skills in body safety awareness. Let the journey begin.

Freja Leonard is an environmental and social campaigner with over 30 years’ experience in ethical political, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Her background includes business management, corporate environmental management, and political campaigning and events.

My life has been a real journey; I grew up in Townsville and after completing high school I spent time living overseas and in remote and regional areas in Queensland before eventually attending university in Brisbane in my late 20s.

There I went on to do a doctorate, and my PhD research project examined what young people know about sex, sexuality, and relationships and established where they were finding or receiving that information. After completing my PhD, I was an academic and lecturer in media & communication and my research areas of interest were sex and sexuality, adolescent sexuality, sexuality education, with a particular interest in mediated sexuality and the media as a source of sexuality information.

What I found in my time as a researcher was that the young people I spoke to (who were 14-16 yrs old) had not received enough information in their earlier years to set them up for safe and healthy relationships in their teen years and adulthood. I am so excited to work with this team and have the opportunity to provide children and young people with the crucial body safety knowledge and skills to become safe, happy, and healthy adults.

In my spare time I am either walking my dogs in a bush track, relaxing or fishing at the beach, or generally spending as much time in nature as possible… or I’m bingeing the latest show on a streaming service!

I have a primary school teaching background, a BA in Women’s Studies and Study of Religion, and am currently writing a PhD thesis in the area of social justice and education.

For more than 30 years I have been involved in diverse advocacy, research, resource development, professional learning and project management roles in school, community, university and government settings - in the areas of wellbeing, sexuality, boys’ education, bullying, respectful relationships, gender equity, intersectional feminism, and the prevention of violence against women.

Supporting community workers, teachers, parents and carers is my greatest joy and privilege, but I also enjoy time with my family and friends - including three young adult children, country drives, nature walks, and playing with clay.

Scarlet Board web bio pic.png — Scarlet Daly

With over a decade of teaching in both classroom and specialist areas such as Music, I am now following my aspiration to teach and facilitate group workshops in areas of sexuality, respectful relationships and diversity and inclusion.

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Arts part time and gaining valuable knowledge and skills through my majors, Gender, Sexuality and Diversity and Aboriginal Studies.

My research in sex education has sparked my desire to teach inclusively and comprehensively.

I love to play and create arty things with my two young nieces, see the latest arthouse film or stroll through beautiful gardens and galleries.

I also enjoy contributing to the wider community through volunteering with various organisations around Naarm/Melbourne.

The Board

DR MEREDITH DOIG - Chair of the board

Dr Meredith Doig OAM FAICD is a professional company director and governance specialist.

From a solid foundation in the liberal arts (pure maths, linguistics and classical civilisation), Meredith progressed through to senior executive status at Ford Australia, Comalco, CRA and the ANZ Banking Group. She has consulted to large corporates such as Rio Tinto, QBE Insurance and Comalco, and held directorships in the private sector (Bakers Delight, Driver Education Centre), government sector (Port of Melbourne, V/Line) and education sector (Melbourne University, Federation University and Federation TAFE, Fintona Girls School).

For 10 years she was a moderator with the Cranlana Program, a program that focuses on developing executive leadership through intensive discussions on Ethics and the Good Society, and for 5 years she taught governance with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, where she is now a Fellow.

Meredith has a BA in pure mathematics, a Masters degree in educational studies, and a PhD in organisation effectiveness. Her Australian honour was for service to business, education and the community.

Louise Dorrat

Louise has worked in the early years profession for over 30 years in a variety of roles including extensive experience in managing early years’ services in Local Government and the not for profit sector. She has a Master of Education and has taught the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at a number of universities.in Victoria.

Louise is contracted by organisations such as Federal and State Governments, Semann & Slattery, Children’s Ground, Early Learning Association Australia, Gowrie Victoria and Community Child Care and delivers key notes, workshops and webinars across Australia and internationally.

Louise has been on a number of boards and school councils including chairperson at Westgarth Primary school and Thornbury Women’s Neighbourhood House, Treasurer at Annie Dennis Early Learning Centre and chair of the education committee at Fitzroy High school.

MEd, BTeach, Dip SSc

Denise Ferris

Denise Ferris is a Director, Global Adventurer, Coach and Advocate.

She has a BA in Psychology, a Masters degree in Psychology and Management, a Diploma in Energetic Health and is a Registered Psychologist.

Denise is an experienced Director of World On Wheels, an international adventure touring company and Founder of Safaris for the Soul, specializing in adventure soul safaris for women. Prior to this Denise was the Chief Executive of NFP The Humour Foundation bringing Clown Doctors to hospitals and communities across Australia after having spent five years as a Consultant and Leadership Coach to Corporate Australia including Westpac, Pepsi Cola International, Phillips Fox, Optus, Keycorp, Johnson & Johnson and AMP.

Her career has included senior executive People, Performance and Culture roles across Australia and New Zealand at Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Pepsi Cola Bottlers, Lion Nathan and NCR.

Denise is an Advocate and Philanthropist for global gender equality, prevention of domestic abuse, girls’ education internationally and the sustainability of our environment.

Denise has interests in human consciousness, health and wellbeing, travel and the arts and lives in paradise on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, NSW.

Claire Tennent

Claire Tennent is a policy professional, a strong advocate for gender equity and human rights and a mother of one. With an interest in machinery of government, Claire began her career working for the Ministry of Health in Wellington, before taking up various policy positions in the Victorian public service.

Passionate about protecting the rights and dignity of vulnerable populations, Claire’s roles have included working with the Director of Mental Health (NZ) to support the safeguarding of the rights of people receiving mental health care, developing policy to protect the rights of Victorians to access appropriate health care, implementing recommendations arising from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence and responding to the recommendations of the federal Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Claire has a BA (Honours) in political studies and a BSc Biomedical Science from the University of Auckland. Her honours thesis involved a comparative gender analysis in superannuation policy.

Freya leonard

Freja has worked as an organic greengrocer, environmental manager for The Body Shop Australia, Ethical Business Manager for Jasper Coffee, and has coordinated national conferences, festivals and Parliamentary events hosting international Members of Parliament, dignitaries and Traditional Owners.

In over 13 years’ working in political offices at the state and federal level Freja held senior roles from complex constituent advocacy with government agencies and departments to policy advice.

She has a strong history of negotiating with diverse stakeholders and across party lines to deliver caseload solutions and lasting policy outcomes.

Key wins include the successful environmental campaign to ban retail plastic shopping bags and the fracking moratorium in Victoria.

She is currently studying Justice and working in the not-for-profit sector to deliver national clean energy transition programs.

We are partner friendly!

With our commitment to provide programs to all children and young people, we are always on the look out for financial and non-financial partnerships to help support marginalised communities.

If your organisation is interested, please contact us.

Guest Speakers

Looking for a speaker for your next event?

Get in touch with Body Safety Australia to informative and engaging speakers for your event.

Deanne Carson

Approaching 'taboo' topics with compassion, understanding and factual information, Deanne's presentations are free of judgement, shame or shock tactics.

She has presented research papers at Australian and international conferences covering topics such as body safety, consent, body safety, sexuality education, and social media.

Deanne encourages people to identify their values, and offers tools to help them live in a way that is congruent with those values.

Jane Gilmore

Jane Gilmore was the founding editor of The King’s Tribune.

She is now a freelance journalist and author, with a particular interest in feminism, media and data journalism.

Jane has a Master of Journalism from the University of Melbourne, and her book FixedIt: Violence and the Representation of Women in the Media was published by Penguin Random House in August 2019.