Nadine McKillop
Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice., School of Law and Society
Leadership Team, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +61 7 5456 3536
Location: Sunshine Coast, SD-D-G-G.16
Nadine McKillop, PhD is Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice and Co-Leader of the Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Also a psychologist, Nadine worked within criminal justice and not-for-profit organisations prior to entering academia. With two decades of research, practice and teaching expertise in criminology and psychology, Associate Professor McKillop brings with her a suite of skills in the design, facilitation, and evaluation of offending and community prevention programs. Her international research profile demonstrates expertise in understanding and preventing the onset of sexual violence and abuse, and the assessment and treatment of youth and adults who have committed sexual offences to reduce the extent and impacts of sexual violence and abuse in the community. She is the current Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Sexual Aggression: An international, interdisciplinary forum for research, theory and practice.
Research
Publications
Journal article | Peer reviewed
Strengthening Responses to Older Adult Abuse: A Review of Contextual Prevention Strategies in Australian Policy ↗
by Madeline Lee, Emily Moir and Nadine McKillop
17 October 2026
Australian Journal of Social Issues
Older adult abuse is a significant social issue that has attracted necessary attention in Australian policy. Yet, the scope of abuse prevention strategies proposed within these policies has not been systematically reviewed, nor has their alignment with evidence-informed frameworks been assessed. Given growing support for prevention efforts that target both individuals and contexts, strategies within 11 Australian policy documents were mapped against Rayment-McHugh et al.'s contextual prevention framework to assess the comprehensiveness of policy responses to older adult abuse and identify opportunities for enhancement. Overall, a balanced proportion of strategies were identified, targeting increased knowledge and resilience in individuals (n = 88) and addressing contextual risks to reduce opportunities for abuse (n = 86). However, most contextual strategies were macro-focused (n = 56), concerned with addressing social determinants of abuse (i.e., ageism and social isolation) and enhancing formal regulatory controls. Fewer strategies targeted micro-level risks present in the immediate environments where abusive behaviour manifests (n = 30), indicating an area for development. While the scope of identified policy measures is promising, greater emphasis on the situational dynamics of abuse may contribute to more proactive prevention frameworks and policy responses, thus furthering efforts to safeguard older adults.
Journal article | Peer reviewed
Double-edged sword: young people's online exposure to knife crime, its effects, and perspectives on prevention ↗
by Molly Thurlow, Olivia Joppich, Nadine McKillop and Emily Moir
8 October 2026
Crime Prevention & Community Safety
Although concerns around youth knife crime have received much public attention in recent years, there is minimal research involving views of young people themselves. Using cultivation theory (Gerbner and Gross 1976), the aim of this exploratory study was to canvas young people's exposure to, and engagement with, knife crime posts on social media platforms, its impacts on their perceptions of safety and knife-carrying behaviour, and their views on knife crime prevention. Findings from an online survey of 193 young people (16–22 years [M = 17.9]) indicate that these young people are regularly exposed to knife violence across social media platforms with two-thirds of respondents believing knife crime is a problem in their area. In line with cultivation theory, most respondents indicated that this online exposure to knife crime increased their concerns about personal safety and the need for protection, particularly among females. Although need for protection increased contemplation to carry a knife among this sample, the overall likelihood of knife carrying was very low. Common themes around prevention indicate that young people would like to see more education and awareness campaigns related to knife-crime highlighting the harms and consequences of this type of behaviour. Combined, findings underscore potential psychological impacts of online exposure to knife crime, while highlighting the capacity for such platforms to raise awareness and educate young people as a preventative measure.
Journal article | Peer reviewed
Factors That Influence Technology-Facilitated Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review Using Systems Thinking ↗
by Gemma Read, Nicole T Liddell, Nadine McKillop and Paul Salmon
13 August 2026
Trauma, Violence & Abuse
Technology-facilitated intimate partner violence (TFIPV) is increasingly featured in cases of intimate partner violence and intimate partner homicide. There is emerging recognition of the use of technology to abuse and control intimate partners in domestic abuse research and the inherent complexity of TFIPV is evident. As such, a better understanding of the factors that influence TFIPV is necessary. This scoping review aimed to synthesise extant literature on factors known to influence TFIPV. The review included 84 peer-reviewed primary sources that focused on adult intimate relationships (at least 18 years of age), had full-text versions in English, and included individual, situational, environmental, technological, and systemic factors found to increase the likelihood of TFIPV. The influencing factors were extracted and mapped onto a systems-thinking-based framework, Rasmussen's Risk Management Framework. This synthesis identified 28 higher-order themes across the TFIPV system hierarchy. Most of the factors within these themes related to lower levels of the system (e.g. perpetrators, victim-survivors, social environment, device and software capabilities), with limited consideration of broader systemic factors that influence TFIPV. Of the broader systemic factors that were identified, most related to inadequate responses to TFIPV by government, judicial system, technology industry regulators, and police. Future research should consider the use of systems-thinking-based frameworks and methods in understanding and addressing this complex and pervasive problem from a whole-of-system perspective.
Journal article | Peer reviewed
Safety First? Parental Concerns, Communication Preferences, and Perceived Adequacy of Safeguarding in Early Childhood Education and Care ↗
by Bricklyn Priebe, Nadine McKillop, Larissa Christensen and Susan Rayment-McHugh
31 July 2026
Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
Safeguarding in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia has gained increasing public and policy attention, particularly after widely reported abuse cases. Yet less is known about how parents and carers understand safety within ECEC services. Using quantitative survey data from 303 Australian parents and carers of young children, this exploratory study examines enrolment decision-making alongside perceptions of safeguarding risks, confidence in current practices, and expectations about communication. Comparative analysis explores differences between families with and without current experience of formal care. Findings show safety is a central factor in parental engagement with ECEC, alongside practical considerations such as location and proximity to services. Concerns focus mainly on supervision and staff conduct, while access to safeguarding information and confidence in services' ability to prevent and respond to harm vary. The study offers insight into parental perspectives and implications for improving communication and safeguarding visibility across the sector.
Journal article | Peer reviewed
Client and Practitioner Insights into Treatment for Women Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Study Informing Gender-Responsive Practice ↗
by Bricklyn Priebe, Nadine McKillop, Susan Rayment-McHugh and Larissa S Christensen
22 July 2026
Sexual Abuse
Gender-responsive programming has emerged as a pivotal force behind improved therapeutic outcomes for women in the criminal justice system. Enhancing relevance of treatment provided to women sentenced for child sexual abuse (CSA) is necessary given the proposed gender-based pathways and motivations linked with this crime. This research incorporates the views of women sentenced for CSA (n = 18) and practitioners (n = 25) and aims to determine the key treatment targets for women sentenced for CSA, and how these might be similar or different to the needs of men sentenced for this offending. Results indicate that despite some overlap of treatment targets, there are gendered nuances in how some core topics should be addressed when delivering offense-specific correctional programming to women. Five key targets emerged that indicate notable differences warranting tailored intervention, including: the effects of past trauma, relationship toxicity, (un)healthy sexuality, lowered self-concepts, and parenting challenges. These nuances align with strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches advocated for this population, helping to guide future program development and implementation. Recommendations for practice are included.
Showing the five most recent publications. Explore all Nadine McKillop's publications in UniSC Research Bank
Grants
30 June 2025 - 30 June 2026
Scoping Project for The Salvation Army: Evidence and considerations in the removal of uniforms during the investigation of historical child sexual abuse allegations
Salvation Army (Australia, Melbourne)
Grant no. 0980030880.
Stephanie Price, Susan Rayment-McHugh, Nadine McKillop and Dimity Adams
5 January 2026 - 26 June 2026
From Knowing to Doing: Building Safeguarding Capability in Community Youth-Serving Organisations
Queensland Family and Child Commission (Australia)
Grant no. 0980031288.
Susan Rayment-McHugh, Laura Dodds, Lisa Fraser, Sarah Walker and Nadine McKillop
20 March 2025 - 31 May 2026
Accessibility of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention in Australia
National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse (Australia)
Grant no. 0980030218.
Nadine McKillop, Dimity Adams, Stephanie Price and Susan Rayment-McHugh
24 March 2025 - 31 December 2025
Investigating the utility of Stymie as a harm reduction tool in schools
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
Grant no. 0980030030.
Andrew Allen, Rachel Downie, Susan Rayment-McHugh, Danielle Cathcart, Amanda Boyes, Nadine McKillop and Stephanie Price
7 November 2025
Review of the Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse (YSVA) Service Model
Queensland Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
Grant no. 0980031351.
Andrew Allen, Bricklyn Priebe, Laura Dodds, Susan Rayment-McHugh, Lara Christensen, Stephanie Price, Dimity Adams and Nadine McKillop
Showing the five most recent grants. Explore all Nadine McKillop's grants in UniSC Research Bank
Teaching and supervision
Teaching
Course leader
Supervision
Doctoral Thesis Supervision - Completed
Disrupting the Cycle of Hostility: Exploring the Nature and Consequences of Anti-Police Sentiment towards Police Officers
Students: Katelyn Davenport-Klunder
Principal Supervisor: Kelly Hine
Co-Supervisor: Nadine McKillop
2022 - 18 August 2026
Doctoral Thesis Supervision - Completed
Gender-responsive treatment for women who have perpetrated child sexual abuse: The value of client and practitioner voices in the pursuit of best-practice
Students: Priebe, Bricklyn
Principal Supervisor: Nadine McKillop
Co-Supervisors: Lara Christensen and Susan Rayment-McHugh
2021 - 2025
Doctoral Thesis Supervision - Current
Understanding Police Responses to People Experiencing Mental Illness: The Role of Gender and Procedural Justice
Students: Research student (name withheld)
Principal Supervisor: Kelly Hine
Co-Supervisor: Nadine McKillop
2025
Doctoral Thesis Supervision - Current
A systems thinking approach to address technology-facilitated abuse in the context of intimate partner violence.
Students: Research student (name withheld)
Principal Supervisor: Gemma Read
Co-Supervisors: Nadine McKillop and Paul Salmon
2024
Doctoral Thesis Supervision - Completed
Sexual Violence and Fantasy: Investigating the Utility of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy
Students: Andrew Allen
Principal Supervisor: Prudence Millear
Co-Supervisor: Nadine McKillop
2017 - 2023
Showing the five most recent supervisions. Explore all Nadine McKillop's supervisions in UniSC Research Bank
Student research opportunities
Potential research projects for HDR and Honours students
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Youth and adult sexual offending
- Offender rehabilitation and re-entry
- Program evaluation
- Prevention of sexual violence and abuse
Professional
Professional activity
Professional Membership
Registered Psychologist - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency ↗
Nadine McKillop
2002 - 2026
Professional Membership
Fellow - Higher Education Academy (UK) ↗
Nadine McKillop
2019 - 2026
Professional Membership
Member - Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology ↗
Nadine McKillop
2016 - 2026
Professional Membership
Advisory Board member - CSAM Deterrence Centre ↗
Nadine McKillop
2025 - 2026
Professional Membership
Member - Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, Research Consultative Forum ↗
Nadine McKillop
2024 - 2026
Showing the five most recent activities. Explore all Nadine McKillop's activities in UniSC Research Bank
Awards and memberships
2025
Vice-Chancellor and President's Award for Excellence in Research Impact
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
2023
Commissioner’s Award for Excellence in Corrections (Collaboration Category), Queensland Corrective Services, awarded to Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit for the Strong & Solid Spirit Program
Queensland Corrective Services
2020
David Biles Correctional Research Award, Outstanding Research Report in the Field of Correctional Administration, Policy or Reform
Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (Australia)
2020
Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, for Outstanding and Innovative Teaching in Australian and New Zealand Criminology
Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (Australia)
2019
Fellow, Advance HE (higher Education Academy)
Higher Education Academy (United Kingdom, York)
2019
Vice-Chancellor and President's Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
2017
Advancing the Blended Learning Environment Teaching Award
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
2016
Academic Lead, Australian Awards Fellowship Scheme, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading and Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Indonesia)
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
2002
University Medal
Griffith University (Australia, Brisbane)
Education
2006 - 2012
Doctor of Philosophy
Criminology
Griffith University (Australia, Brisbane)
2002 - 2002
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Griffith University (Australia, Brisbane)
1997 - 2001
Bachelor of Behavioural Science
Griffith University (Australia, Brisbane)
1997 - 2001
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Griffith University (Australia, Brisbane)
Media
Nadine McKillop's specialist areas of knowledge include:
- Sexual violence prevention
- Contextual prevention
- Youth sexual violence and abuse
- Program evaluation
- Onset and progression of sexual offending
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
News
What do parents want when it comes to childcare safety? More information for a start
12 AugIn recent weeks, we’ve seen more reports of alleged child sexual abuse involving a Sydney childcare worker, while there have also been reports of children leaving a Melbourne kindergarten unnoticed and getting onto a busy street, and stories like these have sadly become a regular feature of the news cycle, once again raising questions about safety and public confidence in the early childhood sector.