Prof. Daryl Higgins, an Icon of Change in Sydney, Australia

Icons of Change International Awards 2026

Prof. Daryl Higgins
Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University
Former Deputy Director (Research), Australian Institute of Family Studies
Former Senior Lecturer, Psychology, Deakin University

Chief Investigator on the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS)

SDG Focus: Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
Changemaker for Child Maltreatment Prevention, Public Health Approaches to Child Protection, and Child-Safe Organisational Strategies (Australia)

With over 30 years as a registered psychologist and researcher, Professor Daryl Higgins has pioneered evidence-based advancements in understanding, preventing, and responding to child abuse and neglect. As Director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies (ICPS) at Australian Catholic University since 2017, he leads a centre of excellence focused on high-quality research, evaluation, professional development, and policy influence to enhance safety, wellbeing, and thriving for children, young people, and families, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.

His groundbreaking work includes serving as Chief Investigator on the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), Australia's first national prevalence study of all five forms of child maltreatment (physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence). The ACMS revealed that over 60% of Australians experienced childhood maltreatment, with high rates of multi-type exposure linked to poorer mental and physical health outcomes across life. His PhD research pioneered the concept of 'multi-type maltreatment,' demonstrating cumulative harms from multiple abuse types and influencing policy shifts toward holistic, needs-based responses in child protection systems.

Previously, Daryl held senior roles at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (Deputy Director Research, General Manager Research), led evaluations (e.g., Magellan case-management in Family Court for child abuse allegations; past adoption practices), and served as Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Deakin University. He has contributed to editorial boards (Child Maltreatment), adjunct positions (University of Melbourne), and numerous publications on family violence, child-safe organisations, public health prevention, and intergenerational impacts.

Daryl's leadership emphasises public health frameworks for prevention, building child-safe cultures in institutions, and translating rigorous evidence into policy, practice, and organisational strategies. His contributions have informed national reforms, safeguarding in settings like sports, faith organisations, and education, and advocacy for child-centred approaches that listen to young voices.