PRESS RELEASE: Conversation is at the heart of this National Child Protection Week

Child Protection Week starts on the 1st September with the clear message that ‘every conversation matters’.

Organised by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), Child Protection Week is a time to engage all Australians to ‘Play a Part’ in improving child well-being and keeping children safe in Australia.

The week will be launched with guest speaker, Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds:
“Every conversation matters at every level, including nationally across our federation. It’s time we asked: Why is child safety and wellbeing not a priority for National Cabinet and how can we change that?”

To focus on creating better futures for children and young people, NAPCAN has put the theme ‘every conversation matters’ at the week’s core. Conversations are a crucial practice in preventing child abuse and neglect before it starts.

NAPCAN is facilitating conversation this Child Protection Week with their free webinar series, where experts will explore areas such as digital safety and intergenerational solidarity.

Oliver White, chair of NAPCAN’s Youth Speak Out Council, hopes people who engage with Child Protection Week take the message and put it into action:
“We’re calling all Australians to start a new conversation that models empathy and understanding. That could be checking in with a young person in your life, or writing a letter to your local politician asking them what they are doing to create better futures for children.”

NAPCAN CEO Leesa Waters says discussions at a national level are additionally needed:
“We need to seize opportunities to have these conversations at a community level but also broader conversations that hold policy makers accountable, ensuring they consider not only tertiary responses but also preventative solutions and putting meaningful funding in this area.”

“Prevention is our goal, prevention is possible, and we want it to be treated as a national priority.”

“This means we have to open a broader conversation about Child Abuse and Neglect with not only our Government, but also with the Media.”

NAPCAN will launch new media guidelines for reporting on children and young people at Parliament House, Canberra, following National Child Protection Week.
“Research shows that media significantly influences policy in Australia, so how children and survivors of abuse are portrayed is crucial.”

………..

National Child Protection Week runs from 1 – 7 September and invites ALL Australians to come together and work towards giving every child, in every community, a fair go at a safe and happy future.

The week will be launched via a live streamed event at 10am on Monday 2 September. Register for the launch and free online webinars at https://www.napcan.org.au/final-official-program-webinars-events-2024/

Go to our website to learn more about NAPCAN’s work and how you can get involved in Child Protection Week: https://www.napcan.org.au/get-involved-2024/

NAPCAN is the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and coordinates National Child Protection Week annually with support from the Department of Social Services and many organisations and individuals across Australia.

NAPCAN has several senior staff, experts, and board members who are available for interviews or comment on most topics relating to child wellbeing.

Media contact: Clare Walker, NAPCAN, [email protected] 0420 507 376