New WA online resource to boost child safety

The Western Australian Government has launched the Safer WA for Children and Young People online resource and Creating Child Safe Organisations brochure designed to support families and relevant child focused organisations to gain access to the latest information and advice on keeping children and young people safe. 

As well as supporting families and professionals, the website will provide updates on WA’s progress with implementing the Royal Commission – Child Sexual Abuse recommendations.

Serving as an all-purpose child safety hub, bringing together relevant safety tips and key information about keeping children and young people safe to make them accessible and easy to locate, the website also includes a dedicated page for children and young people to access information about online safety, effective ways to seek help and – if needed – how they can report allegations of abuse.

“In the face of rapidly changing technology, parents and guardians need to stay vigilant and educate themselves and the children and young people in their care about how to safely navigate our increasingly online and connected world,” WA’s Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk said.

Information on support services for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse are also included, and the website maintains a link to the Royal Commission website and the survivors’ Message to Australia.

Recruitment support

Additionally, the Department of Communities has created a new public resource designed to aid recruitment and staff management processes through its Creating Child Safe Organisations brochure.

“The Creating Child Safe Organisations brochure will add significant and practical value to the recruitment and staff management protocols of all Western Australian organisations,” Ms McGurk said.

The brochure provides practical and relevant information for organisations, and supports one of the 10 Child Safe Standards principles identified by the Royal Commission recommendations.

For further information, visit the Safer WA for Children and Young People resource, here.