Firebrand senator Jacqui Lambie will join a married couple dedicated to fighting the scourge of child abuse at a gala fundraiser in Sydney next Friday night, May 23.
Senator Lambie will join other politicians, entertainers, community representatives, parents, volunteers and sponsors for the annual Black Tie Masquerade Ball inaugurated by Sydneysiders Bruce and Kerry Fozzard, founders of the Child Protection Foundation (CPF), one of the hardest working charities in New South Wales.
In previous years the charity's mission has been endorsed at the Ball by official messages of support from three Prime Ministers – Mr Tony Abbott, Mr Malcolm Turnbull and Ms Julia Gillard – while Mr Scott Morrison delivered the keynote speech in the lead-up to becoming Prime Minister.
The CPF is one of the unsung charity minnows keeping up the fight against child abuse in tough economic times. The Black Tie Masquerade Ball is the critical fundraiser that keeps the Foundation going.
"We are delighted that Senator Lambie is attending the Ball – she becomes the first Australian senator to grace us with their presence since our first ball back in 2012," Bruce Fozzard, who established the Child Protection Foundation with wife Kerry, said.
"If child abuse was an illness we would not be struggling so hard to raise money. Funding for illnesses flows in, justifiably so, but the pipeline shuts off for child abuse – the most taboo subject in our society.
"Child abuse causes appalling damage. It is the hardest subject to have a conversation about and even harder to raise funds for, to stop children becoming victims, and to educate the whole community about. There is so much work to be done by all levels of society, especially politicians who have the power to do more than offer platitudes instead of coming to grips with the realities of this insidious crime."
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 2.7 million Australians aged 18 and over (14%) have experienced childhood abuse (physical and/or sexual) before the age of 15. This includes 18% of women and 11% of men.
The most recent statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (for 2022-23) showed there were more than 180,000 active cases of reported child abuse alone in Australia, in four categories: Emotional abuse – 55%; Neglect – 21%; Physical abuse – 14%; and Sexual abuse – 10%.
These numbers are horrific, and the Foundation is focused on creating education programs to deal with sexual and physical abuse, the most heinous crimes against children.
Key Facts:
The Black Tie Masquerade Ball will be held at the Doltone House Function Centre, 223 Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania Waters, at 7.00pm on Friday, May 23. Tickets are still available for $150.00 via trybooking.com, www.cpf.org.au or www.facebook.com/TheCPF.
