The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs is using this week’s Child Protection Week to remind the public that protecting children is everyone’s business.
Launching the Week, Minister for Children, Leanne Linard encouraged people to get involved in events and activities in their area.
“Child Protection Week is celebrated across Australia every year and is a chance to acknowledge the commitment of everyone involved in child protection and to highlight the important work they do,” Ms Linard said.
“While COVID-19 continues to create some challenges this year, there are still plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved with over 100 events and activities across the State.”
She thanked the Child Protection Week Committee who organised the annual event, under the Act for Kids title.
“This year the Government has supported Act for Kids to organise this Week with $150,000 in funding,” Ms Linard said.
“The organising committee is made up of volunteers from 30 organisations to ensure we have strong promotion of child protection and recognise the whole sector.”
The Minister said that as part of this Week, professional and volunteer child protection workers would be supported through best practice training and a forum to exchange ideas and information.
“There has been a tremendous shift in community attitudes when it comes to child safety and we are seeing more and more people willing to stand up and take responsibility for the safety of children,” she said.
“Child protection is no longer hidden behind closed doors — it is now everybody’s business every day of the year,” Ms Linard said.
Further information on Child Protection Week, which runs to Saturday (11 September), can be accessed at this PS News link.
