Advocacy
Queenslanders encouraged to get involved in Child Protection Week
Freya Lucas
Sep 07, 2021
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Protecting children is everyone’s business – not just for one week a year but for the other 51 weeks as well, Queensland’s Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard has said, as the state begins Child Protection Week, which runs from 5-11 September.
“Child Protection Week is celebrated across Australia every year and is a chance to acknowledge the commitment of everyone involved in child protection and highlight the important work they do,” she said.“While COVID-19 continues to create some challenges this year, there are still plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved with over 100 events and activities across the state.”
Ms Linard thanked the Child Protection Week Committee who organise the annual event, operating under Act for Kids. In 2021, the Government supported Act for Kids by putting forward $150,000 in funding.
“The organising committee is made up of volunteers from 30 organisations to ensure we have strong promotion of child protection and recognise the whole sector,” she explained.
“Over the next week we want to see everyone helping to raise the profile of child protection so that everyone knows they have a role to play in keeping children safe.”
As part of Child Protection Week, professional and volunteer child protection workers will be supported through best practice training and a forum to exchange ideas and information.
“We will also recognise advances that have been made in child protection which will contribute to better outcomes for all children and young people into the future,” Ms Linard said.
“Everyone wants to see Queensland children thriving and families supported to be the best they can be, and this week helps make sure everyone has the tools they need moving forward.”
Thankfully, she continued, there has been “a tremendous shift” in community attitudes when it comes to child safety, and more and more people are willing to stand up and take responsibility for the safety of children.
“Child protection is no longer hidden behind closed doors - it is now everybody’s business every day of the year,” she said in closing.
For more information on national events for Child Protection Week please see here.
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