Building a Protective Community
for our Children
Last year in Australia, about
220,000 reports of child abuse were made across the country –
that is a report for one child in every twenty-five in our community.
National Child Protection Week is being celebrated from 4-10 September
to help raise awareness about keeping children safe and promoting
communities that are focused on the needs of children.
This year’s theme is “Child friendly communities
prevent abuse and neglect”. A protective community values children
and promotes their safety and wellbeing.
Child abuse affects the WHOLE COMMUNITY not
just the child and family involved.
Child abuse is anything, which individuals,
or groups do, or fail to do, which directly or indirectly harms
children or damages their prospects of safe and healthy development
throughout childhood. Forms of abuse include: physical abuse,
emotional abuse, neglect, sexual assault, and exposure to domestic
violence.
The effects of abuse often lead children to
have lower self-esteem and social skills. The impact on the health
and wellbeing of children is significant and may include concerns
such as physical injuries, untreated nappy rash and sores, anxiety
or depression, bedwetting, emotional and behavioural difficulties,
sleeping problems, frequent illnesses, and nightmares.
We should not only support children who are
in need right now, but also invest in promoting wellbeing and
protection of children for the future.
There are positive things we can all do. Building
self-esteem and confidence in children and young people is essential
for growth. Communities with these qualities provide a web of
support across all aspects of a child’s life - enhancing their
development, wellbeing and resilience against harm.
There are many things that can help children
and to make your community more child friendly. You can:
Protect children from violence
Build your child’s self esteem
Be positive tell your children that you love
them
Spend time with each child– listen to them
read a book or spend time playing their favourite game – or teach
them a new one
Praise children and young people’s abilities
Respect children’s feelings
Be fair, reasonable and honest
Pass on books toys and sports gear that may
assist other families
Teach children and young people how to cope
with failure or disappointment
Promote local services that provide support
and care for children and families
A Child Friendly Community also encourages parents to seek assistance
if they are finding parenting difficult.
Sometimes parents need someone to talk to.
This may be to share a problem or to discuss ideas on how to
best handle a situation.
Services that can assist:
Child Abuse Prevention Service 1800 688 009
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
DOCS Helpline 132 111
Parentline 132 055
Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463
"Information contributed by the Lower Hunter Child Protection
Interagency Group, HNE Health and Napcan."
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