Survivors are not just victims; we are the architects of change.
Harrison James is an award-winning Australian activist, author and co-founder of the national law reform campaign #YourReferenceAintRelevant, widely recognised for transforming lived experience into measurable legislative change.
After surviving childhood sexual abuse, Harrison turned personal trauma into a coordinated national movement to abolish the use of “good character” material in the sentencing of convicted child sex offenders, a practice many victim-survivors argued retraumatised them in court. What began as a single petition evolved into one of the most significant survivor-led reform campaigns of the decade, helping reshape public debate around sentencing practices and accountability.
His advocacy has contributed to substantial reform momentum across multiple jurisdictions. In New South Wales, the Government introduced the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Good Character at Sentencing) Bill 2026, which has passed the Legislative Assembly and progressed to the Legislative Council. In the ACT, the Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 proposes to render character references irrelevant in sentencing for sexual offences against children and is progressing through committee inquiry. In Victoria, reforms have been announced to scrap “good character” references as a mitigating factor, with legislation flagged for introduction mid-year.
Harrison’s voice has emerged as a defining force within a new generation of advocates reshaping how Australia responds to sexual violence, demonstrating how survivor-led initiatives can influence institutions, policy and public consciousness at scale.
He is the author of Transform Your Pain into Purpose: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference (Affirm Press), a practical guide to building momentum, influencing stakeholders and creating change without waiting for perfect timing or permission.
In his presentations, Harrison speaks to three core themes that underpin leadership and wellbeing. Purpose, building agency and action when change feels difficult. Resilience, sustaining effort through setbacks, scrutiny and slow progress. Men’s Mental Health, challenging unhelpful norms and creating healthier conversations that strengthen teams, relationships and leadership.
Harrison delivers content with clear strategic framing and a trauma-informed approach appropriate for workplace audiences. He is available for keynotes, panels, facilitated Q&A sessions, student workshops, corporate breakouts, and media and podcast interviews.
Talking Points
Purpose: Transform Your Pain into Purpose
Purpose is built, not found. In this Keynote, Harrison challenges the belief that you need credentials, authority or perfect timing to do something meaningful. Drawing on the real-world mechanics of advocacy and change, he shows how specificity, persistence and conviction turn frustration into forward momentum. Audiences leave with a practical framework to act before they feel “ready”, and to keep building impact through consistent action.Purpose: Transform Your Pain into Purpose
Key Takeaways:
● A clear framework for turning intent into action, even when confidence is low
● How to get specific about the change you want, and translate it into next steps
● Practical ways to build momentum through small, repeatable behaviours
● Stronger agency, shifting from “someday” to “start”
Resilience: Knocking on 50 Doors Before the 51st Opened
Resilience is not a slogan, it is a practice. Harrison reframes resilience as long-term discipline, emotional regulation and sustained belief through rejection, resistance and public pressure. He shares what it takes to keep moving when progress feels slow or invisible, and how to stay effective without burning out. Audiences leave with a sustainable model for staying steady, focused and useful in high-pressure environments.Resilience: Knocking on 50 Doors Before the 51st Opened
Key Takeaways:
● A realistic resilience model for long projects, slow change and ongoing pressure
● Tools for handling rejection without losing conviction or direction
● Practical strategies to manage emotional fatigue and reduce burnout risk
● A mindset shift from “why me?” to “what now?”, with clear next steps
Men’s Mental Health: The Lie of “Be a Man”
From an early age, many men absorb a narrow script about strength, silence and self-reliance. Harrison explores how these expectations shape men’s mental health, relationships and leadership behaviours, and why emotional suppression carries a real cost. He offers a healthier definition of strength, grounded in emotional honesty, accountability and connection. The result is a practical pathway to better conversations, safer teams and stronger cultures.Men’s Mental Health: The Lie of “Be a Man”
Key Takeaways:
● How “tough it out” culture shows up in teams, leadership and decision-making
● A practical model for healthier conversations, without forcing vulnerability
● What leaders can do to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behaviours
● A stronger definition of strength that improves trust, performance and wellbeing
Video
'Good Character' References For Offenders Scrapped For The First In Australia | 10 News+
Harrison James, a child sexual abuse survivor and founder of 'Your Reference Ain't Relevant', and his co-founder Jarad Grice reveal their incredible fight to get ‘good character’ references for offenders removed from courts across the country - now NSW might be the first state or territory in Australia to act.Latest News
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