Meet the Team

Throughout Julie’s 30-year career she been committed to serving the community, with an extensive background in policing, followed by leadership roles in the WA not-for-profit sector.

Julie started her Protective Behaviours journey with the WA Police in 1996, as a School-based Police Officer. Serving for 23 years, Julie specialised in community policing, child protection, domestic violence and working in the ANCOR (Australian National Child Offender Register) unit, interviewing perpetrators of sexual offences. This direct work with offenders enabled Julie to translate her learnings to educate and empower parents to teach their children age-appropriate protective behaviours.

Julie originally joined Protective Behaviours WA in 2004, and over 12 years was responsible for delivering hundreds of workshops to a diverse audience of teachers, parents and professionals, in both classroom settings and one-to-one sessions. Julie was proud to take the Protective Behaviours WA education to remote communities, travelling extensively throughout the State, including remote communities in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and Kulumbara, as part of a joint WA Police and DPC operation.

Julie was appointed CEO of WA Child Safety Services in September 2023, bringing a wealth of experience as well as a strong operational and governance background.

Prior to WA Child Safety Services, Julie was part of the Executive Team at PCYC, one of WA’s leading youth organisations, before moving to The Smith Family as a Senior Leader.

On her appointment, Julie commented, "I’m extremely excited and proud to be returning to my roots of Protective Behaviours. I’m committed to building a sustainable organisation that educates and empowers young people and adults to prevent child abuse in WA."

Sam is a qualified Early Childhood Educator with over 20 years’ experience working with children, 15 of which she spent working in the South West region of WA.

Sam has been working with the Protective Behaviours program since 2016 when she began facilitating parent workshops and embedding the program into her work at a community-based early learning centre.

Her extensive experience working with children in their early years and seeing the impact of child sexual abuse on people close to her has driven her passion for instilling core Protective Behaviours messages in children from early childhood.

Sam has a strong commitment to supporting professionals, particularly Early Childhood Educators, and parents to feel confident to teach Protective Behaviours to children in developmentally appropriate, fun and interactive ways, so they receive consistent messages between the care environment and home environment.

Sam is currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work and coordinates WA Child Safety Services’ training programs across the state.

Justine is a qualified Teacher and Accredited Social Worker with over 30 years’ experience working in the education and statutory child protection sectors. Justine is one of Western Australia’s pioneers in Protective Behaviours and has taught prevention education to children, young people, parents and professionals locally, interstate and internationally across two decades. Justine is the author of ‘Jasmine’s Butterflies’ and ‘Michael’s Bubbles’, two popular abuse prevention storybooks. She has been the editor of a number of abuse prevention resources, including Protective Behaviours Primary School lesson plans for the Department of Education (‘Holding Hands’), and co-author of WA Child Safety Services Protective Behaviours Primary School Curriculum. Justine has specific expertise in Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting legislation and practice across schools.

Genevieve is a survivor of child sexual abuse and has a rich insight into trauma-related issues affecting children and adults. Her extensive experience working in child protection, drug and alcohol counselling and the mental health sector together with her personal experience places her in a unique position to empower children, parents and educators to adopt the protective behaviours philosophy. Genevieve has spent extended periods working in remote Indigenous communities, teaching Protective Behaviours to children, youth, teachers, parents and community groups. Genevieve believes that education is the most powerful tool to prevent child sexual abuse. Genevieve has a strong belief in building the knowledge and capacity of teachers to integrate the protective behaviours program in their curriculum. Read more of Genevieve’s story here.

Amanda has over 20 years’ experience in the community services sector in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. She has undertaken significant work in community based and prison based therapeutic interventions for youth and adult offenders who have committed serious, violent and sex offences. Amanda has also worked in both the government and not-for-profit sectors to support children and families who were deemed at risk due to exposure to trauma and violence, homelessness, and mental health issues. She has significant experience supporting children, young people and adults who were survivors of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Her interest has always been in providing therapeutic and educational groups sessions, including Protective Behaviours programs, of which Amanda has had significant experience in delivering. Amanda’s professional experience has given her valuable insight into the experiences of both perpetrators and survivors of abuse and violence. She is passionate about utilising this knowledge to empower children and families to stay safe and develop positive relationships.

Diane’s mission is to educate and inspire children, young people and adults, believing that education is the first step towards empowerment and prevention. With a rich background as a child protection worker, lecturer, registered teacher and group facilitator specialising in working with perpetrators of violence, she has accumulated over a decade of invaluable experience, both in Scotland and Australia.

Her journey, encompassing both personal and professional dimensions, fuels her commitment to effecting positive change, with a particular emphasis on abuse prevention education. Diane's dedication extends to her role as an accomplished Protective Behaviours trainer, where her passion finds expression in the pursuit of preventing abuse within our community. Through her diverse experiences and expertise, Diane remains steadfast in her pursuit of a safer and more informed society.

Melinda (Mel) is passionate about advocating for and supporting the rights and wellbeing of all children and young people so they can reach their full potential in life. Mel is a qualified Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher with 20 years’ experience working with children in both schools and early learning settings. She has significant experience teaching prevention education to children ages 3 to 12. Mel became a Child Safety Trainer to assist others to support and advocate for children’s rights in their day-to-day practice and interactions. She supports schools and early learning centres to implement a prevention education program through fun, engaging and age-appropriate activities. Mel believes in empowering parents and families to support their children to stay safe and develop positive relationships in today’s world and facilitates workshops for parents and community groups.

Azelene’s ambition in life is to have a positive impact on this and future generations as an activist in the field of family and domestic violence. Azelene pursues this passion as a qualified holistic counsellor, motivational speaker, facilitator, published author and co-founder of the harm-prevention charity, Kidzucate. Azelene’s personal experience of domestic violence and her avid support of her daughter’s championing of bullying prevention have given her the drive to make our communities safer through education and empowerment. Azelene is an articulate and inspirational presenter whose personal and professional experiences resonate with many.

Kerri’s background in child protection and family and domestic violence has bolstered her passion for ensuring children and young people are safe, have a voice, and feel empowered. Kerri studied youth work over 20 years ago which led to her completing a Bachelor of Social Work in 2010. She has been working in the East Kimberley region for over 13 years and is continually building and establishing relationships through connection to those she comes in to contact with. Kerri is an experienced facilitator providing child safety and abuse prevention youth programs and professional development workshops across the Kimberley.

Jye is a Gureng/Kanaka man originally from Queensland and has been on Noongar Boodja for almost seven years. At the age of 19 he started his youth work career in Katherine in the Northern Territory and has since worked in a range of roles in both youth work and health promotion in Western Australia. Jye has a background in sexual health education and is passionate about promoting respectful relationships with young people. Jye’s work with WA Child Safety Services includes facilitating groups and presenting the Teen Talk program.