Ms Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a proud Bundjalung Widubul Wiabul woman, human rights lawyer, bestselling author, scholar and survivor advocate. She is a leading Australian voice on child welfare, child protection, children’s rights, Indigenous rights and safety.

Vanessa completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, graduating with First Class Honours. She also studied at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School in the United States, where she examined the intersections of child welfare and Indigenous rights. She is a Fulbright Scholar, former Commissioner and PhD candidate.

Vanessa’s research and professional practice span child protection; children’s rights; Indigenous children and the law; responses to child sexual abuse and violence; domestic and family violence; institutional accountability; youth justice and incarceration; and the criminal justice system. Her work examines how legal, social and institutional systems affect First Nations children, families and communities, and advocates for culturally safe, rights-based and accountable approaches.

As a survivor of forcible removal, Vanessa brings lived experience together with cultural authority, legal expertise, scholarship and advocacy. Her work centres the rights, safety and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, including their right to remain connected to family, community, culture and Country.

Vanessa is the author of Long Yarn Short: We Are Still Here, a published work that reflects her commitment to truth-telling, resilience, justice and the voices of First Nations people. She has also published scholarly articles examining the experiences of First Nations children and young people, including the implications of trauma and violence for children, families and communities.

Her work combines research, teaching and practice. Vanessa contributes to professional and public education across child protection, children’s rights, Indigenous rights, safeguarding, child sexual abuse and violence prevention, youth justice, incarceration and institutional accountability. She works with communities, organisations, governments, national bodies and international partners to strengthen systems that protect children and uphold the rights of First Nations families and communities.

In 2019, Vanessa was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal in recognition of her leadership and advocacy. Through her research, legal and policy work, teaching, writing, public speaking and consulting, she contributes to national and international efforts to advance First Nations sovereignty, children’s rights, justice, safety and self-determination.