Clinical Psychologist | Family Therapist | Pioneer in sibling sexual abuse research

Dr Anne Welfare is a highly respected Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist whose work has quietly shaped how Australia understands and responds to intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse within families.

Over a 35-year career at The Bouverie Centre in Melbourne, Anne established one of Australia’s first specialist sexual abuse teams within a family therapy setting. Her work challenged prevailing assumptions of the time and helped shift practice away from blame, secrecy and fragmentation toward trauma-aware, whole-family recovery.

Anne’s PhD research focused specifically on sibling sexual abuse, an area that was largely invisible when she began.

Her work explored the experiences not only of survivors, but also parents, siblings who caused harm and siblings who were not directly involved, recognising that when abuse occurs within a family, its impact is shared and relational.

Across her clinical and research work, Anne has consistently emphasised:

• the central role of parents in recovery
• the profound harm caused by secrecy and minimisation
• the need for accountability without abandonment
• the importance of integrated responses that support all family members

Anne’s contribution has influenced clinical practice, child protection systems and professional education across Australia. Many survivors and practitioners encounter her work long before they ever meet her name.

At Seven Conversations, Anne offered a rare combination of deep clinical wisdom, research clarity and compassionate realism. Her conversations continue to resonate because they name what families are often carrying in silence and offer language for understanding rather than judgement.

Published research

Anne has also published peer-reviewed research exploring sibling sexual abuse and whole-family responses. This article is shared here with Anne’s permission, and may be helpful for those seeking a deeper academic perspective.

Anne’s work reminds us that healing within families is possible when truth is met with care, courage and sustained support.

Recorded reflections from Seven Conversations

The following recordings are shared with permission for learning and reflection within the Seven Conversations community and the private 5WAVES parent peer support group space.

Primary conversation

Working with the Whole Family After Disclosure

A recorded conversation from Seven Conversations, where Anne shares from her clinical and research work on integrated family-wide responses to sibling sexual abuse.

Follow-up conversation

Reflections and Questions After Seven Conversations

A follow-up Q&A recorded after the symposium, responding to questions and themes that emerged for participants.

Anne’s recordings are shared with care, respecting the sensitivity of this work and the people it touches.