iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Oh yes that's us, must have been picked up from our VU media release!

Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

This work is dedicated to all those who've experienced abuse in sport. 📰 Link to study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... DM me for a copy! #survivors

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

1. Volunteers' motivations to respond to abuse when they witnessed it/ a child disclosed was high. 2. But they rated their capabilities (knowledge, skills) to effectively respond lower (than motivations)... 3. ... and the support they felt they had from their clubs the lowest (slide 4). #sport

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Our new Australian grassroots sport and safeguarding study: To what extent do sport volunteers (the cornerstone of sport) have the skills, support and motivations to recognise and respond to abuse against young people in sport? Link to study below 👇🏻 #safeguarding #safesport

Title slide new research survey of 218 community sport volunteers reveals high motivation to respond to abuse but critical capability and support gals remain

20% of volunteers may not believe a disclosure

98% agree reporting child abuse is important. Only 37% believe the current system for reporting are effective

1in3 lack policies for receiving disclosures.
1 in 5 fear concequences for raising concerns about abuse.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I don't know if there's any AuDHDer that gave everything in their application for the #DECRA 27 & have been in an ongoing crash since submitting, but if you are, I'm right there with you. It's disabling. Today I'm exec functioning/ energy spoons are in the dishwasher.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

And that we are glamorizing autism. Excuse me what? By making such claims, she is reinforcing the very issues that put marginalized autistic kids in this situation in the first place. What a disgrace.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Yet, instead of using her power to call policy makers and multi-disciplinary scholars to action; instead of acknowledging the complexities, and the need for nuances, she decided to use her power to place the responsibility on autistic women, claiming we are sensitive, traumatized individuals.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Her underlying concerns are supposedly the support system for autistic kids with high support need. And I share her concerns. I also have a lot of concerns about the lack of support to autistic girls and racialized autistic kids with low and medium support needs.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I also think it's important to note that on her Google Site she states " My two favourite disorders are autism and dyslexia, because they are puzzling and endlessly fascinating [...]." (As per photo). In short, we're lab rats to her, which is highly problematic.

Screenshot of Uta Frith Google Site page.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

The tes article clearly shows she negates contexts and the politics of health, which have huge implications for autistic kids. She is not in a place to make any claims about autism diagnoses in adult women, and even less to speak with such authority about our experiences.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Her expertise is in depth, sure, but like most researchers, her expertise it is limited to a particular discipline and problem, in her case that is neurocognitive processes. She is not a social psychologist, she is not a critical scholar.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Uta speaks from a place of scientific authority, yet she fails to acknowledge that she hasn't researched with young women diagnosed with autism later in life, nor researched masking. A quick Google Scholar search will show you that.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I didn't want to give the piece platforming Uta Frith more visibility, but since it's already widely circulating, as a researcher and as a late diagnosed autistic woman, I think I do have to speak up on Uta Frith's recent views on #austism featured in the tes magazine.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

You know what's a sign of people caring about safer sport for young people: talking about it and acting on it when there's no major sporting events highlighting the problem.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Help - SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS: Any recommendation for a software for academic research that is both trustworthy for data privacy as well as user-friendly (for me ha) and for collaborative mapping projects with research participants? #networkanalysis #socialnetwork

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Open letter to fellow Victorians, from a current #VicHealth Early Career Research fellow (me). Dear Victorians, please help #savevichealth ... Sign the petition here: www.change.org/p/keep-viche... SHARE the petition. Follow Friends of VicHealth on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/frie...

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Reposted by Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

"VicHealth folding doesn’t just harm Victoria, it dismantles a global template for how to get health promotion right." www.croakey.org/shock-and-al...

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Reposted by Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD

Prof Sandy O’Sullivan (Wiradjuri, trans they/them) @sandyosullivan.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Today is the last day of the Future Fellowship that I’ve been doing for the last five years. If any of the work we’ve done in thinking about queer in Indigenous lives, creativity, the colonial project of gender and everything else has had an impact on your work or life I’d love to hear from you.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Does anyone on this platform know of research that has attempted to evaluate the contribution of #criticaltheory in achieving its goal of liberation and emancipation?

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

It was my first sociology conference, and I think what I liked most about #TASA2025 was learning how diverse social science scholars integrate natural sciences literature and interpret it from social theory perspectives, e.g. sessions on youth and health.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Phrase of the year at #TASA2025 is reimagining futures. Everyone is reimagining.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

7yrs ago (18 Nov 2018) on World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Se*ual Exploitation, Abuse, & Violence, I made the decision to publicly share my story. Speaking out was a 1st critical step in beginning to reclaim my voice. There's been progress but we can't step back. #endchildabuse

Most survivors/ people with lived experience of abuse in sport who work in this space do so because we've experienced both the best and the worst of sport. Our individual stories are complex and nuanced. We research, advocate, and speak up so that every young person can participate in sport free from harm.

When powerful and respected individuals within the sporting institution, publicly mock headlines that, after decades of silence, finally report on abuse (even if poorly), it doesn't just undermine the issue, it directly dismisses the suffering of many. It also reinforces the power of those within the system who've spent years minimising and denying our experiences.

When multiple survivors tell you that your narrative minimises the harm experienced by so many in sport, it's not for you to decide that it does not. When survivors and critical scholars researching the topic of violence against young people in sport share feedback, please consider them and reflect on the impact of your practices going forward.

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Reposted by Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD

Prof Samantha Thomas @docsamantha.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

“Over a dozen Labor MPs, including senior figures in the party, have told ABC Investigations they want action on gambling reform.” www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

abc.net.au

'Broad, unspoken consensus': silent Labor MPs want action on gambling

Andrew Wilkie has asked the PM to allow a free vote on banning gambling advertising and it appears many Labor MPs would support it.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

For the critical sport scholars - this includes an examination of women's view on sport betting/ gambling 👇🏻

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

In loving memory of Virginia Giuffre - solidarity with all victims and survivors of these two men, and all those impacted by institutional decisions and silence. #safesport #princeandrew #volleyball #beachvolleyballl #adelaide2025

The British Royal Family revoked Prince Andrew's title and residence after victims came forward detailing his role in their sexual abuse and exploitation as adolescent girls. Yet, the International Volleyball Federation and the Dutch Volleyball Association are allowing Van de Velde a convicted child rapist to represent his country on the world stage, met with silence from leading Australian Sport organisations. Never thought say it, but the monarchy seems more decisive on child sexual abuse than sport.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Please sign this petition + share "We call on the Australian Government and the Minister for Home Affairs to deny entry to convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde ahead of the Volleyball World Championships [...]." SIGN HERE bit.ly/4nLpTSN

bit.ly

Sign the Petition

Ban Convicted Child Rapist Steven van de Velde from the 2025 Volleyball World Championship

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Is this what we want our profession and what we stand for (the prevention of violence against ALL children) to be remembered for when we look back on our time? #gaza #palestine #israel #genocide #starvation #children #childabuse #childneglect #youth #youngpeople #humanrights

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Here's the only example I could find by international child health associations - ICHG and ISSOP www.internationalchildhealthgroup.org/ichg-issop-s...

internationalchildhealthgroup.org

ICHG & ISSOP statement on Israel Gaza conflict — ICHG

ICHG and ISSOP joint statement on child health during the Israel-Gaza crisis

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Calling all national/ international child abuse/ neglect academic/ professional associations to publicly denounce the inactions of politicians on the ongoing+livestreamed genocide of the Palestinian people. Not speaking up is being complicit. Please share/like to support.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Sport and the Catholic Church have been compared in many scientific papers before - and these recent examples show why. Power and status over justice, healing and dignity is at the core of institutional child abuse. /FIN

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

... the Dutch Olympic Committee and the Dutch Volleyball Federation - enabled by the IOC rules and regulations - to represent his country, at the highest level of sporting excellence. 4/

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Power of the institution prevails above human dignity. In a way, this reminds me of the institutional dynamics that were at play at the Paris Olympic Games, when Steven Van De Velde, a convicted child rapist, was chosen by ... 3/

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Seeing people rewarded with immense status and power when they have played a major role in covering up child sexual abuse can be incredibly, incredibly hard to manage. With this choice, the Catholic Church demonstrates that the stolen childhoods, justice and healing for survivors, do not matter. 2/

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Today's news could be very hard for many institutional child abuse survivors around the world and I want to share my support to the survivors of the Catholic Church/ other religious organizations. 1/ #csa #childabuse #catholicchurch #popeLeo #survivor #OlympicGames #abuseinsport

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Feel free to reach out for any question! APPLY HERE: vuau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

✔️Eligibility includes: 👉Identifying as someone who's survived/ been directly impacted by child abuse in sport (psychological, physical or sexual abuse) before the age of 18. 👉Being an adult (18 years+). 👉Desire to use the insights from your experience to inform safer sport prevention strategies

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

🔍The project aims to identify strategies to improve community clubs’ response to child abuse sport and co-develop a framework for the involvement of people with lived experience of abuse in sport in collaborative research projects.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Our research team at Victoria University would like to invite 4/6 people who’ve experienced child abuse in Australian sport to join an advisory committee for a collaborative research project.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

🌟 Invitation: Lived Experience Advisory Committee of people who've experienced child abuse in sport in Australia - Expression of Interest 🌟 APPLY HERE: vuau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #childabuse #abuseinsport #safesport #CSA #CSAsurvivors #survivors #violenceprevention #childmaltreatment

Join an advisory committee of people with lived experience of child abuse in sport for a research project.Have you experienced child abuse when playing sport in Australia? Would you like to assist in making community sport safer and more inclusive?Victoria University researchers and the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse would like to collaborate with those who've experienced psychological, physical or sexual abuse in sport as a child/ adolescent to better respond to and protect today's youth in community sport. Participation is financially compensated.People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to participate.People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to participate.Consult the Expression Of Interest, or,Contact Dr Aurélie Pankowiak (researcher with lived experience): aurelie.pankowiak@vu.edu.auVictoria University Research Ethics Project HRE24-173

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Ughhh my heart goes to the family and those impacted. May he rest in peace.

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Reposted by Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD

The SafeSport Illusion @safesportillu.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

13-year-old boy murdered by his soccer coach. The coach had prior allegations of sexually assaulting a child. How did this happen? Did SafeSport and U.S. Soccer know about the allegations before he murdered a child? www.latimes.com/california/s...

latimes.com

Youth soccer coach charged with murder in death of 13-year-old boy

The youth soccer coach who was charged in a 13-year-old’s death has also been arrested on suspicion of a separate 2024 sexual assault.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Chief Investigators (Institute for Health & Sport, Victoria University): Dr Aurélie Pankowiak, Dr @marynwoessner.bsky.social, A/Prof F.Mclachlan, Prof Parker. Project staff: Alison Quigley, Lived Experience Advocate/ PhD candidate, Alana Richardson, Research Assistant, Dr Jeffrey Bishara, Postdoc.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Stay tuned as recruitment for the lived experience advisory committee will start soon.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

2. to co-develop a framework for the meaningful engagement of victim-survivors in initiatives on child abuse prevention in and gain a better understanding of the experiences of people with lived experience in joining such initiatives.

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Aurélie Pankowiak, PhD @aureliepanko.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Aims of the research: 1. To identify prevention strategies to improve the capacity of community sport to recognise and respond to child abuse in sport #safeguarding #childsafeguarding #childmaltreatment

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