Patrick (Professor) is an internationally recognised researcher on social work, gender-based violence and child protection. Professor O’Leary is a Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). He is also Co-Director of the Disrupting Violence Beacon at Griffith University, and Co-Chief Editor of International Social Work Q1 journal. Professor O’Leary has worked with UNICEF, Terre des hommes, ECPAT International, and Islamic Relief Worldwide. He serves on numerous boards and advisory positions in the government and non government sectors including being on the Advisory Group for National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse for the Australian Government, non-executive Director of DVConnect, and member of the Practice Advisory Committee for Survivors and Mates Support Network. Patrick works on the land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples.