The below can be attributed to Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines:
The revelations from the ABC Four Corners investigation into Australia's childcare system are deeply disturbing and highlight there is still so much more work to do in protecting our children.
As a national child protection organisation, Act for Kids stands with all survivors of child abuse and their families. We must do better as a society to ensure every child is safe from harm.
The Four Corners report has exposed a series of systemic failures that have contributed to this crisis, and we implore all governments to act swiftly and decisively to address them.
The key message that must be taken from this investigation is the urgent need for greater education, awareness, and evidence-based strategies to prevent child sexual abuse. This horrific form of abuse can have devastating, lifelong impacts on survivors and their families - many of whom may not have known their child was at risk or being harmed.
Protecting children requires a whole-of-community approach. There is no single solution to preventing child sexual abuse - it must go beyond systems and policies and should include essential preventative education for children, caregivers, and educators.
Act for Kids has been advocating for nationally consistent working with children's checks and a minimum standard for evidence-based protective behaviours education in all early education settings.
We can all educate ourselves about child protection and the vital role we all play in keeping kids safe, starting with three simple ways we can protect kids now:
1. Teach kids from a young age about consent and body parts - use the correct anatomical names for private parts to establish personal safety boundaries.
2. Talk to your kids about safe touch versus unsafe touch during everyday activities like bath time. For example you could say, "we are going to change your nappy now so that you're clean."
3. Chat with your kids regularly - Remind your child that they can always ask you questions and talk to you or offer them the contact number for a safe resource.
If you or someone you know needs support, help is always available:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Please report any concerns you may have about a child – no matter how trivial or small it may seem to the relevant child protection authority.
In an emergency call 000
