Four of Western Australia 's metropolitan shopping centres - The Park Centre in Victoria Park, Bassendean Village Shopping Centre, Noranda Village Shopping Centre, and The Mezz in Mount Hawthorn - plan to be the first shopping centres in Australia endorsed as working towards becoming Child Friendly. NAPCAN's endorsement signifies a new partnership between Hawaiian and NAPCAN WA. The partnership will see each of the centres working towards becoming Child Friendly and Child Safe.
Initiatives will include specially trained liaison staff from NAPCAN WA being available in each centre on a regular basis to provide support and resources to parents. A specially devised Kids Task Force will also be implemented in each of the centres, which seeks to provide young people with the opportunity to voice their opinions on matters that are important to them.
Positive reinforcement of health, hygiene and safety messages will be communicated through a series of colourful and engaging posters in all centres, reminding us all about the value in respecting and caring about our children
Richard Aedy recently spoke with the former partner of a now convicted sex offender who's in prison for 10 years. Kathy, a young mother, has found a dearth of information and support as she tries to rebuild her life after the conviction of her former partner and father of her three children. LISTEN Contact FOSO HERE
The Australia Institute of Family Studies on how Australian Families spend their time. This report is prepared and released for National Families Week. HERE
upcoming Forums:
Take Back the Castle: making the home a safe place for women and children
This one day forum will explore and discuss models of assisting women and children experiencing violence to stay safely in the family home. Melbourne: 27 August 2007 Take Back the Castle Flyer HERE Online Registration HERE
Reflections on Ten Years of Change: a policing forum presented by Professor Elizabeth Stanko. The forum will be held at the University of New South Wales at 10.30am on Friday 31 August 2007 MORE
is a very special exhibition designed to raise awareness of the plight of all children trapped in war. Highlighting the experiences of Sydney based child Holocaust Survivors the exhibition features original children's drawings and a toy butterfly from the Terezin ghetto, and a photographic exhibition of children caught up in recent conflicts, including Darfur. Children from the age of 10 are invited to inscribe a message of hope for children affected by such atrocities, and place it within the exhibition in support of the right of every child to live in peace. Sydney Jewish Museum, 17 June - 30 November 2007 MAP
Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse Report Released.
The Inquiry was established in August last year and was Co-Chaired by Ms Patricia Anderson and Rex Wild QC. The report found that Aboriginal children as young as three are falling victim to widespread sex abuse fuelled by alcohol, pornography and ignorance. The inquiry made 97 recommendations including a shake-up of the education system, support from government agencies and the tightening of pornography laws. Read a summary of the Report HERE The entire Report (6.4 meg) can be accessed on the NT Govt. website HERE
In response to the national emergency confronting the welfare of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory, the Australian Government announced immediate, broad ranging measures to stabilise and protect communities in the crisis area. The immediate nature of the Australian Government's response reflects the very first recommendation of the Little Children are Sacred report into the protection of Aboriginal children from child abuse in the Northern Territory which said: " That Aboriginal child sexual abuse in the Northern territory be designated as an issue of urgent national significance by both the Australian and Northern Territory Governments.. " MORE
The Prime Minister announced changes to the welfare system to help address child neglect and encourage school attendance. MORE
NAPCAN President, Teresa Scott, welcomes the Government's response as the first step, but stresses that any investment in the issue must also address the endemic and complex roots of child abuse and neglect. MORE
Professor Chris Goddard, Director of the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Monash University, said the Federal Government has taken an important first step. "A law enforcement approach is one strategy to protect children. However, a national emergency requires truly national solutions that are sustained over time. It is critical that community commitment to child protection is now harnessed with structural reform."
The Australian Childhood Foundation and the National Research Centre has called on the Australian Government to extend its effort to tackle child abuse and adopt an urgent 12 point action plan to ensure that all Australian children are better protected from abuse and neglect MORE
SNAIC's latest release HERE
The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) has written an open letter to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, HERE
Our campaign won a Bronze Lion at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Watch the advertisement HERE
Modern Childhood in Australia
The Australian Childhood Foundation, in conjunction with the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Monash University , commissioned Quantum Market Research to undertake a comprehensive national survey of children. Read the report HERE
Save the Children Australia has launched a national program to resource young people in basic parenting skills, providing an ideal medium for offering information and experiences that are pertinent to caring for children. MORE
Early Childthood Conference co-hosted by ARACY and Marymead
29-30 August, Canberra MORE
A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare : the third national statistical report on young people in Australia . View the media release HERE and report HERE
HERE
