Associate Professor Michael Salter
Associate Professor

Associate Professor Michael Salter

BA (Hons), PhD

Arts,Design & Architecture
School of Social Sciences

Dr Michael Salter is the Scientia Associate Professor of Criminology at the School of Social Sciences at UNSW and an expert in child sexual exploitation and gendered violence. Michael applies critical and feminist theory to the study of complex trauma, with a focus on intersections with technology. Michael sits on the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and he is an advisor to the Australian Office of the eSafety Commissioner, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and White Ribbon Australia. He is Associate Editor of Child Abuse Review and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation. 

  • Books | 2016
    Salter M, 2016, Crime, justice and social media, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315687742
    Books | 2012
    Salter M, 2012, Organised sexual abuse, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203082188
  • Book Chapters | 2021
    Salter M, 2021, 'Finding a new narrative', in Trauma and Memory: The Science and the Silenced, Routledge, pp. 130 - 141, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003193159-14
    Book Chapters | 2021
    Salter M; Hanson E, 2021, '“I Need You All to Understand How Pervasive This Issue Is”: User Efforts to Regulate Child Sexual Offending on Social Media', in The Emerald International Handbook of Technology-Facilitated Violence and Abuse, Emerald Publishing Limited, pp. 729 - 748, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83982-848-520211053
    Book Chapters | 2020
    Wong T; Breckenridge J; Salter M; Lamb R; James M; Tzioumi D, 2020, 'Sibling sexual abuse: Responding to everyone involved. New South Wales case study: Clinicians’ experiences of providing services to families affected by sibling sexual abuse: An exploration of service engagement and best practice strategies.', in Improved Accountability The Role of Perpetrator Intervention Systems, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS), Sydney, pp. 171 - 187
    Book Chapters | 2019
    Salter M, 2019, 'Online justice in the circuit of capital: Metoo, marketization and the deformation of sexual ethics', in MeToo and the Politics of Social Change, Springer International Publishing, pp. 317 - 334, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15213-0_20
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'Child sexual abuse', in Routledge Handbook of Critical Criminology: Second Edition, pp. 316 - 333, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315622040
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'Child sexual abuse', in The Routledge International Handbook of Violence Studies, Routledge, pp. 254 - 263, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315270265-24
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'Child sexual abuse', in DeKeseredy WS; Dragiewicz M (ed.), ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF CRITICAL CRIMINOLOGY, 2ND EDITION, ROUTLEDGE, pp. 316 - 333, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315622040-29
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'Publicising Privacy, Weaponising Publicity: The Dialectic of Online Abuse on Social Media', in Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change, Springer International Publishing, pp. 29 - 43, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97607-5_2
    Book Chapters | 2012
    Breckenridge JM; Salter M, 2012, 'Gender, Use and Abuse - Sexually abused women in alcohol and drug treatment', in Nakray K (ed.), Gender Based Violence and Public Health: International perspectives on budgets and policies, edn. 1st, Routledge, USA, pp. 108 - 122, http://www.amazon.com/Gender-based-Violence-Public-Health-International/dp/0415504929
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Salter M, 2023, 'Presidential Editorial: The Facts and Fantasies of Dissociation', Journal of trauma & dissociation : the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD), vol. 24, pp. 1 - 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2022.2157620
    Journal articles | 2022
    David K; Salter M, 2022, '‘They Are Here Without Chains, but With Invisible Chains’: Understandings of Modern Slavery Within the New South Wales Settlement Sector', Social and Legal Studies, vol. 31, pp. 50 - 71, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0964663921990103
    Journal articles | 2022
    Dragiewicz M; Woodlock D; Salter M; Harris B, 2022, '“What’s Mum’s Password?”: Australian Mothers’ Perceptions of Children’s Involvement in Technology-Facilitated Coercive Control', Journal of Family Violence, vol. 37, pp. 137 - 149, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00283-4
    Journal articles | 2022
    Jones C; Salter M; Woodlock D, 2022, '“Someone Who Has Been in My Shoes”: The Effectiveness of a Peer Support Model for Providing Support to Partners, Family and Friends of Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenders', Victims and Offenders, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2022.2051108
    Journal articles | 2022
    Moran R; Salter M, 2022, 'Therapeutic politics and the institutionalisation of dignity: ‘Treated like the Queen’', Sociological Review, vol. 70, pp. 969 - 985, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00380261221091012
    Journal articles | 2022
    Salter M; Blizard R, 2022, 'False Memories And The Science Of Credibility: Who Gets To Be Heard?', Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, vol. 23, pp. 141 - 147, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2022.2028219
    Journal articles | 2022
    Salter M; Hall H, 2022, 'Reducing Shame, Promoting Dignity: A Model for the Primary Prevention of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder', Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, vol. 23, pp. 906 - 919, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1524838020979667
    Journal articles | 2022
    Salter M; Whitten T, 2022, 'A Comparative Content Analysis of Pre-Internet and Contemporary Child Sexual Abuse Material', Deviant Behavior, vol. 43, pp. 1120 - 1134, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2021.1967707
    Journal articles | 2022
    Salter M; Woodlock D, 2022, 'The antiepistemology of organized abuse: Ignorance, exploitation, inaction', BRITISH JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY, vol. 63, pp. 221 - 237, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azac007
    Journal articles | 2022
    Turnbull-Roberts V; Salter M; Newton BJ, 2022, 'Trauma then and now: Implications of adoption reform for First Nations children', Child and Family Social Work, vol. 27, pp. 163 - 172, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12865
    Journal articles | 2022
    Woodlock D; Salter M; Conroy E; Burke J; Dragiewicz M, 2022, ''If I'm not real, I'm Not Having an Impact': Relationality and Vicarious Resistance in Complex Trauma Care', BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK, vol. 52, pp. 4401 - 4417, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac054
    Journal articles | 2022
    Woodlock D; Salter M; Dragiewicz M; Harris B, 2022, '“Living in the Darkness”: Technology-Facilitated Coercive Control, Disenfranchised Grief, and Institutional Betrayal', Violence Against Women, pp. 10778012221114920, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10778012221114920
    Journal articles | 2021
    Dragiewicz M; Harris B; Woodlock D; Salter M, 2021, 'Digital media and domestic violence in Australia: essential contexts', Journal of Gender-Based Violence, vol. 5, pp. 377 - 393, http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/239868021X16153782923978
    Journal articles | 2021
    Filippaki I; Salter M, 2021, 'Trauma, Narratives, Institutions: Transdisciplinary Dialogs', Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, vol. 22, pp. 407 - 412, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2021.1925861
    Journal articles | 2021
    Salter M; Richardson L, 2021, 'The Trichan takedown: Lessons in the governance and regulation of child sexual abuse material', Policy and Internet, vol. 13, pp. 385 - 399, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/poi3.256
    Journal articles | 2021
    Salter M; Robinson K; Ullman J; Denson N; Ovenden G; Noonan K; Bansel P; Huppatz K, 2021, 'Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men’s Attitudes and Understandings of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault', Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 36, pp. 11630 - 11657, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260519898433
    Journal articles | 2020
    McPhillips K; Salter M; Roberts-Pedersen E; Kezelman C, 2020, 'Understanding trauma as a system of psycho-social harm: Contributions from the Australian royal commission into child sex abuse', Child Abuse and Neglect, vol. 99, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104232
    Journal articles | 2019
    Salter M, 2019, 'Brett Kavanaugh’s Nomination and the Moral Context of Trauma Science', Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, vol. 20, pp. 135 - 139, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2019.1571858
    Journal articles | 2019
    Salter M, 2019, 'Malignant trauma and the invisibility of ritual abuse', Attachment: New Directions in Psychotherapy and Relational Psychoanalysis, vol. 13, pp. 15 - 30, http://dx.doi.org/10.33212/att.v13n1.2019.15
    Journal articles | 2019
    Salter M, 2019, 'Malignant trauma and the invisibility of ritual abuse', Attachment: New Directions in Psychotherapy and Relational Psychoanalysis, vol. 13, pp. 16 - 30, http://dx.doi.org/10.33212/att.v13n1.2019.16
    Journal articles | 2019
    Salter M, 2019, 'The transitional space of public inquiries: The case of the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, pp. 000486581988663 - 000486581988663, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0004865819886634
    Journal articles | 2018
    Dragiewicz M; Burgess J; Matamoros-Fernández A; Salter M; Suzor NP; Woodlock D; Harris B, 2018, 'Technology facilitated coercive control: domestic violence and the competing roles of digital media platforms', Feminist Media Studies, vol. 18, pp. 609 - 625, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2018.1447341
    Journal articles | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'Abuse and cruelty in religious bureaucracy: The case of the anglican diocese of Newcastle', Journal of Australian Studies, vol. 42, pp. 243 - 255, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14443058.2018.1459782
    Journal articles | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'Child Sexual Abuse: Ethics and Evidence', Child Abuse Review, vol. 27, pp. 165 - 170, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/car.2516
    Journal articles | 2018
    Salter M, 2018, 'From geek masculinity to Gamergate: the technological rationality of online abuse', Crime, Media, Culture, vol. 14, pp. 247 - 264, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1741659017690893
    Journal articles | 2017
    Salter M, 2017, 'Organized Child Sexual Abuse in the Media', , http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264079.013.113
    Journal articles | 2017
    Salter M, 2017, 'Organized abuse in adulthood: Survivor and professional perspectives', Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, vol. 18, pp. 441 - 453, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2017.1295426
    Journal articles | 2016
    Mottram B; Salter M, 2016, '“It’s an Ethical, Moral and Professional Dilemma I Think”: Domestic Violence Workers’ Understandings of Women’s Use of Violence in Relationships', Affilia - Journal of Women and Social Work, vol. 31, pp. 192 - 206, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886109915574580
    Journal articles | 2016
    Salter M, 2016, 'Men's rights or men's needs? Anti-feminism in Australian men's health promotion', Canadian Journal of Women and the Law, vol. 28, pp. 69 - 90, http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/cjwl.28.1.69
    Journal articles | 2016
    Salter M, 2016, 'Privates in the online public: Sex(ting) and reputation on social media', New Media and Society, vol. 18, pp. 2723 - 2739, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1461444815604133
    Journal articles | 2016
    Salter M, 2016, 'Real men do hit women: The violence at the heart of masculinity', Meanjin, vol. 75, pp. 97 - 104
    Journal articles | 2016
    Salter M, 2016, '‘Real men don't hit women’: Constructing masculinity in the prevention of violence against women', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, vol. 49, pp. 463 - 479, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0004865815587031
    Journal articles | 2015
    Salter M, 2015, 'Special edition: Child sexual abuse and exploitation guest editor's introduction', International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, vol. 4, pp. 1 - 3, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v3i.240
    Journal articles | 2015
    Salter M; Dagistanli S, 2015, 'Cultures of Abuse: ‘Sex Grooming’, Organised Abuse and Race in Rochdale, UK', International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, vol. 4, pp. 50 - 64, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v4i2.211
    Journal articles | 2015
    Salter M; Dagistanli S, 2015, 'Cultures of abuse: Sex grooming, Organised abuse and race in Rochdale, UK', International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, vol. 4, pp. 50 - 64, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v3i2.211
    Journal articles | 2014
    Salter M, 2014, 'GETTING HAGUED The impact of international law on child abduction by protective mothers', ALTERNATIVE LAW JOURNAL, vol. 39, pp. 19 - 23, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1037969X1403900106
    Journal articles | 2014
    Salter M, 2014, 'Multi-Perpetrator Domestic Violence', Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, vol. 15, pp. 102 - 112, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1524838013511542
    Journal articles | 2014
    Salter M, 2014, 'Toys for the Boys? Drones, Pleasure and Popular Culture in the Militarisation of Policing', Critical Criminology, vol. 22, pp. 163 - 177, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10612-013-9213-4
    Journal articles | 2013
    Lee M; Crofts T; Salter M; Milivojevic S; McGovern A, 2013, ''Let’s Get Sexting’: Risk, Power, Sex and Criminalisation in the Moral Domain', The International Journal for Crime and Justice, vol. 2, pp. 35 - 49, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v2i1.89
    Journal articles | 2013
    Salter M, 2013, 'Grace's Story: Prolonged Incestuous Abuse From Childhood Into Adulthood', Violence Against Women, vol. 19, pp. 146 - 165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801213476459
    Journal articles | 2013
    Salter M, 2013, 'Justice and revenge in online counter-publics: Emerging responses to sexual violence in the age of social media', Crime, Media, Culture, vol. 9, pp. 225 - 242, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1741659013493918
    Journal articles | 2013
    Salter M, 2013, 'Through a glass, Darkly: Representation and power in research on organized abuse', Qualitative Sociology Review, vol. 9, pp. 152 - 166
    Journal articles | 2013
    Salter M; Crofts T; Lee M, 2013, 'Beyond Criminalisation and Responsibilisation: Sexting, Gender and Young People', Current Issues in Criminal Justice, vol. 24, pp. 301 - 316, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10345329.2013.12035963
    Journal articles | 2012
    Breckenridge JM; Salter M; Shaw E, 2012, 'Use and Abuse:understanding the intersections of childhood ause, alcohol and drug use and mental health', Mental Health and Substance Use, vol. 5, pp. 314 - 327, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17523281.2012.703224
    Journal articles | 2012
    Salter M, 2012, 'Invalidation: A Neglected Dimension of Gender-based Violence and Inequality', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR CRIME JUSTICE AND SOCIAL DEMOCRACY, vol. 1, pp. 3 - 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v1i1.73
    Journal articles | 2012
    Salter M, 2012, 'The Role of Ritual in the Organised Abuse of Children', Child Abuse Review, vol. 21, pp. 440 - 451, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/car.2215
    Journal articles | 2012
    Salter M; Tomsen S, 2012, 'Violence and carceral masculinities in felony fights', British Journal of Criminology, vol. 52, pp. 309 - 323, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azr074
    Journal articles | 2005
    Salter M, 2005, 'HIV prevention and community engagement: 15 years on.', New South Wales public health bulletin, vol. 16, pp. 187 - 189, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/nb05052
  • Reports | 2021
    Salter M; Christian J; Delanie W, 2021, Evaluation of PartnerSPEAK, https://www.academia.edu/60971032/Evaluation_of_PartnerSPEAK
    Reports | 2021
    Salter M; Wong T, 2021, The impact of COVID-19 on the risk of online child sexual exploitation and the implications for child protection and policing
    Reports | 2021
    Salter M; Wong T; Breckenridge J; Scott S; Cooper S; Peleg N, 2021, Production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials by parental figures, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra, ACT, 616
    Reports | 2020
    Chung D; Upton-Davis K; Cordier R; Campbell E; Wong T; Salter M; Austen S; O’Leary P; Breckenridge J; Vlais R; Green D; Pracilio A; Young A; Gore A; Watts L; Wilkes-Gillan S; Speyer R; Mahoney N; Anderson S; Bissett T, 2020, Improved accountability: The role of perpetrator intervention systems, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS), Sydney, https://www.anrows.org.au/project/improved-accountability-the-role-of-perpetrator-intervention-systems/
    Reports | 2020
    Salter M; Conroy E; Dragiewicz M; Burke J; Ussher J; Middleton W; Vilenica S; Martin Monzon B; Noack-Lundberg K, 2020, “A deep wound under my heart”: Constructions of complex trauma and implications for women’s wellbeing and safety from violence, https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/a-deep-wound-under-my-heart-constructions-of-complex-trauma-and-implications-for-womens-wellbeing-and-safety-from-violence/
    Submissions to Government | 2019
    Peleg N; Salter M, 2019, Submission to the Online Safety Charter consultation
    Reports | 2012
    Salter M, 2012, Managing recidivism amongst high-risk violent men, 21, https://www.academia.edu/2042109/Managing_recidivism_amongst_high_risk_violent_men
    Reports | 2011
    Breckenridge JM; Hamer J; Salter M, 2011, Staying Home Leaving Violence Evaluation Strategy - Final Report, UNSW, Sydney, Staying Home Leaving Violence Evaluation Strategy - Final Report
    Reports | 2010
    Breckenridge JM, 2010, ‘Use and abuse’: Understanding the intersections of child abuse, drug use and mental health, UNSW, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17523281.2012.703224

  • 2021 Appointed a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
  • 2020 UNSW ARC Postgraduate Supervision award
  • 2018 Morton Prince Award for Scientific Achievement - International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
  • 2017 High Commendation for the ANZSOC Allen Austin Bartholomew Award – Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology
  • 2017 People’s Choice Award – Western Sydney University Research Impact Competition – Western Sydney University
  • 2014 New Scholar Award – Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology