Current Media Releases 2008

Kids get the message about staying safe online
SMART ONLINE, SAFE OFFLINE (SOSO) released results today of its extraordinary online campaign across kids' interactive sites capturing the attention of around 2 million young people in 2 months MORE

LOVE BiTES Is Breaking The Cycle Of Domestic Violence
LOVE BiTES is breaking the cycle by meeting kids in their reality, and using art, hip hop music and drama, to help them develop slogans, bill boards and even radio campaigns for use in their own communities. MORE

Australia is not child friendlyTues 21 October HERE

Digital industry joins forces to launch new cyber-safety campaign to protect kid Tues 30 Sept HERE

Paid parental leave essential, says advocacy body for prevention of child abuse Tues 30 Sept HERE

National Child Protection Week 08

“DOCS doesn't cause child abuse and neglect” Sydney 12 September 2008 MORE

NAPCAN says every adult is responsible for breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect….. MORE

Politicians Commit to Making Their Influence Positive 3 September 2008 MORE

Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan And Broncos Coach, Wayne Bennett Back Child Abuse Prevention NAPCAN launches National Child Protection Week, ( BRISBANE ), Sunday 7 September 2008 MORE

No Your Eminence, it will not all be over by World Youth Day... at least not for the victims
Wed 9th July 2008

Australia 's leading child abuse prevention advocacy group has expressed outrage that allegations of sexual assault could be dismissed as an inconvenience by the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney .

The National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) was responding to the Bishop's prayer that the furore surrounding an alleged cover up of abuse by Sydney priest Father Terence Goodall would all be over by World Youth Day.

“Sexual assault is a crime. Sexual assault is an abomination. For many of its victims the scars of sexual assault last a lifetime,” said NAPCAN CEO Maree Faulkner . “The Cardinal might very well pray that it'll be over by World Youth Day, but for many of the victims of sexual assault it will never be over. Many of the victims divert their pain to drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness and crime. Some become perpetrators themselves."

“Australian research indicates that at least 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.

“Research also documents myriad harmful effects experienced by survivors of sexual assault.

“The impact on individuals is enormous, and includes psychological and emotional effects such as intense fear of death and disassociation during the assault, anxiety and ongoing fears, feelings of low self esteem, self-blame, guilt, shock, confusion, denial, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“With acknowledgement, support and love many survivors of abuse go on to live fulfilled and happy lives, but this in no way ameliorates the guilt of the perpetrators or of those who condone, excuse or ignore their crimes.

“If the Catholic Church truly wants healing for victims of abuse committed by its members, then the hierarchy must first and foremost have the interests of the survivors themselves at its very heart.”

"If the Catholic Church truly wants to prevent sexual abuse by its members it will acknowledge sexual abuse as the heinous crime it is and implement a effective prevention strategy."

Starving Adelaide children yet another sign of national child abuse crisis
The shocking revelation of starving children in Adelaide is yet another sign of a national child abuse crisis needing immediate action, according to NAPCAN, the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

“The cases are now mounting up throughout Australia , and the ones that are coming to light are just the tip of the iceberg,” said NAPCAN CEO Maree Faulkner . “ Hundreds of Australian children are dying every year – one every two days – and thousands more are being seriously damaged because of personal, community and government inaction.”

Ms Faulkner said Australia needs a three-pronged approach of personal, community and government responsibility -focussed squarely on prevention - if Australia 's spiralling rates of child abuse and neglect are to be stopped.

“What we need is universal post-natal support for all parents, particularly in those first vulnerable years of a child's life. We need parenting and conflict management skills taught to vulnerable families and young people, affordable and accessible childcare, adequate mental health services, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation, services that focus on the children involved.

“Crucially, we also need communities to be educated about being alert to children who are being neglected and parents who are stressed, and then intervening. It's everyone's responsibility help and care for our most vulnerable. 

Ms Faulkner said focussing resources on treating abuse after the fact is clearly not working.

“Intervention after the fact is rarely successful. Child protection agencies have had their budgets doubled in some states and still the situation gets worse,” said Ms Faulkner.

“Every notification has to be investigated, meaning serious cases of neglect are often unable to be given the attention they deserve. Continuing to put all our resources into statutory intervention once a child is abused makes absolutely no sense.

“How shocking does it have to get before authorities realise that what's been done in the past isn't working? Preventing abuse before it happens is the only way we are going to halt the burgeoning numbers of children being killed and abused in Australia .

“The Government response must include a stronger emphasis on early intervention and prevention. We have to break this cycle now. Child abuse and neglect is linked to alcohol abuse, mental illness, homelessness and domestic violence. Specific targeted services for the most vulnerable families and children are essential. Global experience shows these things make a huge difference to stopping kids being hurt and killed.”

PREVENTION - THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE AUSTRALIA'S CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND WELL Mon 26th May 2008
"Governments and community organisations must focus on prevention if Australia's spiralling rates of child abuse and neglect are to be addressed, according to NAPCAN, the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

NAPCAN was responding to the release of the draft National Child Protection Framework by the Federal Government.

“We congratulate Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin for making child abuse a priority. The release of the Framework is strong acknowledgement by the Commonwealth that child abuse and neglect is everyone's problem and that a national response is required,” said NAPCAN CEO Maree Faulkner.

“But this response must include a stronger emphasis on early intervention and prevention. Continuing to put all our resources into statutory intervention once a child is abused makes no sense.

“We have seen the numbers of child abuse notifications continue to burgeon across the country – there are now over 309,500 notifications per year - 50,000 of which are subsequently substantiated. This means that hundreds of our children die and tens of thousands are seriously damaged every year. We must act to stop this now.”

International and Australian research confirms that community-wide measures such as maternity leave, post-natal home visiting, family support services and quality child care are crucial in building a child friendly society.

In addition to these universal measures, specific targeted services for the most vulnerable families and children are essential. Child abuse and neglect is linked to other major social issues such as alcohol abuse, mental illness, homelessness and domestic violence.

“NAPCAN is urging the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments to adequately resource services which support families and protect children in these situations,” said Ms Faulkner.

“The development of the National Child Protection Framework is an historic opportunity to make a real difference to the future of our most vulnerable children. For the sake of Australian kids, I urge Governments to make prevention a priority.”

Make your kids top priority before it's too late: NAPCAN National Families Week 2008, 11-17 May
Many Australian children are being pushed to the bottom of parents' to-do lists at the expense of their kids' long-term wellbeing and development, according to the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN).

Speaking on the eve of National Families Week (11-17 May), NAPCAN Chief Executive Officer Maree Faulkner urged Australian parents to make their kids a priority before it's too late. “The longer and longer hours worked by many Australian parents is taking a heavy toll on the emotional and often physical needs of children,” said Ms Faulkner. “Continued absence of both parents results in long-term damage to not only family relationships, but also to the wellbeing and resilience of children.”

More than 1.7 million Australians work 50 hours or more per week, twice as many as 1982. (Australian Social Trends 2003). More than 60% of Australian workers work on weekends or between 7am and 7pm (ABS). The hours that parents spend with their children have been shown to impact the emotional and intellectual development of a child. In addition, a recent national survey of children aged between 10 and 14 years found that feeling positively connected to family and friends is a key determinant of happiness and wellbeing for children. (Australian Childhood Foundation 2007)

This year's National Families Week is focussed on urging parents to spend quality time with their children every day and more effectively balancing work and family responsibilities. Employers are equally encouraged to take actions to improve work-family balance for their employees.

“Children deserve to have daily quality time with their most trusted adults, from having breakfast and dinner together to reading and playing in the evening. Families and employers who commit to a sensible balance of work and play will help ensure the wellbeing of Australia 's future generations,” said Ms Faulkner.

2020 Summit - An Excellent Outcome Even Before It Starts Thurs 17th April
NAPCAN today congratulated the Rudd Government for its initiative in proposing the establishment of Parent and Child Centres across Australia ...providing access to every child 0-5 by 2020.

"The evidence is clear that this type of early intervention and support to parents and young children will return massive social, health and economic gains to the Australian community - international studies indicate a return on investment of at least $17:$1" said Teresa Scott, National President of NAPCAN.

NAPCAN has long advocated for a universal prevention strategy to support children and families and address the growing crisis of child abuse in Australia . Currently for every $100 spent on child protection only $1 is spent on preventing the abuse and neglect.

Maree Faulkner, NAPCAN's CEO, who will be attending the 2020 Summit sees the Government's proposal as; "a primary prevention strategy of immense significance that has the potential to greatly assist in the reduction of Australia's greatest social problem and in the promotion of the health and well-being of the next generation - commitment to this strategy is an excellent outcome for the Summit even before it starts!"

NAPCAN responds to the RSPCA's New Advertising Campaign Featuring Domestic Violence..  Wed 16th April 2008
NAPCAN supports the concept of raising awareness of the appalling nature of domestic violence - we are, however, seriously concerned that the sole purpose of these ads appears to be to raise money for the RSPCA, rather than to tackle the critical issue of stopping the violence.

NAPCAN's priority is on protecting the human victims, particularly the children , and preventing the violence before it happens

Hundreds of thousands of Australian children live in households subject to domestic violence. These children are subjected to emotional, psychological and often physical abuse.
They need to be protected.
They need to grow up in safe, healthy and happy home.
They need to not learn behaviours of aggression and violence.
This is the cycle that needs to be broken.

NAPCAN welcomes the Government's decision to apologise to the Stolen Generations, as a vital first step in healing relations with our indigenous brothers and sisters and creating a new climate of care. Thursday 14th February 2008
HERE

Every National Indicator Worsens Again.  It's Time to Break the Cycle of Child Abuse.  Wed 23rd January 2008
The latest shocking figures on child abuse are a timely reminder to the new federal government of the opportunity it now has to make a real impact on the future of Australia's children. HERE