Bravehearts Day to shine a spotlight on child protection across the early childhood sector

Bravehearts Day returns on Friday, 11 September, inviting early childhood education and care services, schools, workplaces and communities across Australia to unite in raising awareness of child sexual abuse prevention.

Held during National Child Protection Week, the annual campaign encourages Australians to stand together in support of child safety through education, awareness and community action.

This year's theme, "Be Brave. Together, we CAN fight child sexual abuse," reinforces the importance of collective responsibility and the role every adult plays in helping to create safer environments for children.

For the early childhood education and care sector, Bravehearts Day aligns with an ongoing commitment to safeguarding children through strong child-safe cultures, effective governance and everyday practice.

As services continue strengthening their implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and embedding child safety into policies, leadership and educator practice, awareness initiatives such as Bravehearts Day provide an opportunity to reinforce these important conversations with educators, children and families.

Bravehearts is inviting early learning services, schools, workplaces and community organisations to register for a free supporter pack ahead of this year's event.

The pack includes:

• posters and promotional materials
• activity ideas
• fundraising resources
• digital assets
• practical ways to participate on the day.

The resources are designed to help organisations raise awareness while encouraging conversations about child protection within their communities.

Early childhood professionals play an important role in helping children feel safe, respected and heard.

Bravehearts Day provides an opportunity for services to reinforce important sector priorities, including:

• strengthening child-safe cultures
• supporting children's voice and agency
• building strong partnerships with families
• promoting protective behaviours education
• encouraging ongoing professional learning in child protection.

While the day itself is focused on awareness, it also serves as a reminder that safeguarding children is an everyday responsibility shared by everyone working with children.

There are many ways early learning services can participate in Bravehearts Day, including:

• hosting a purple-themed or Be Brave dress-up day
• displaying child protection resources throughout the service
• sharing child safety information with families
• holding a morning tea or community fundraising event
• encouraging educators to participate in professional learning opportunities
• using the campaign to start age-appropriate conversations about safety and trusted adults.

Whether participation is large or small, every conversation helps raise awareness of child sexual abuse prevention and reinforces the importance of keeping children safe.

Bravehearts Day will be held on Friday, 11 September, with free supporter packs now available for early learning services, schools, workplaces and community organisations wishing to participate.

For the early childhood sector, the day offers another opportunity to place children's safety and wellbeing at the centre of conversations, reinforcing that creating child-safe environments is not just a regulatory obligation, but a shared commitment across every community.

Register here.