Play your part in protecting children during National Child Protection Week

National Child Protection Week is an annual campaign held across Australia to raise awareness of child abuse prevention and to raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection, reinforcing the message that protecting children from abuse is the responsibility of all Australians.

The 2020 theme, Putting Children First, is more important now than even, National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) CEO Richard Cooke said.

“The added stress on families due to the coronavirus pandemic means Australia’s children need all of us to be playing our part in keeping them safe and well” he said, encouraging “as many people as possible – not just experts” to be part of important conversations about putting children first. 

As well as being a timely reminder to those who educate and care for children to have age appropriate conversations with children about personal safety and what to do if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation, National Child Protection Week also shines a light on the issue of child protection, allowing government and non-government agencies to present a cooperative and coordinated community oriented campaign.

The physical and psychological pain caused by abuse and neglect can last a lifetime. In 2019, according to figures provided by NAPCAN, over 35,000 children experienced some form of abuse. 

During the week 6–12 September, free webinars will be shared daily, featuring 30+ speakers, on topics such as: 

• Early childhood development
• Building stronger communities for children 
• Our roles in preventing child abuse
• What every neighbourhood needs in order for children to do well 
• Safe social media usage for children (including sessions for parents and virtual classroom events for teachers). 

These webinars represent a unique opportunity for early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers to engage in free professional development, as well as deepening their understanding of the important role they play in protecting the nation’s children. 

The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley will be kicking off the week in a live-streamed event. 

The launch will also feature a keynote presentation by Dr Richard Denniss, from the Australia Insititute, who will look at the big picture of preventing child abuse in Australia.