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Governor General supporting National Child Protection Week

  • Helen Fogarty
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For release: Sunday 6th September

Added stress of coronavirus means National Child Protection Week is more important than ever

Today is Father’s Day, which also marks the beginning of National Child Protection Week.

In 2020 National Child Protection Week is celebrating its 30th year with the important theme Putting Children First.

NAPCAN – the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect – says that the added stress on families due to the coronavirus pandemic means that it’s more important than ever that we all play a part in protecting children.

NAPCAN Patron, Governor General Sir David Hurley is lending his support to the campaign and encouraging everyone in Australia to play their part in protecting children.

“The importance of the week is all about the protection of our children and prevention of abuse, particularly to bring that back to our attention. And secondly to remind us that as individuals, as families, as organisations, local government, government and the wider community we all have a part to play in this,” he said.

He pointed to four points that the community is asked to think about.

“One is taking time to listen to what children and young people have to say, the second is to be kind and supportive to parents, the third is to create a friendly and connected community, and the fourth, most importantly, is to speak up if you see something that doesn’t appear to be safe for a child and to do something about it.”

There are free webinars being held all week to participate in to learn more about National Child Protection Week. People can register on the NAPCAN site – www.napcan.org.au.

NAPCAN’s National Manager Prevention Strategy, Lesley Taylor, said National Child Protection Week was an incredible opportunity to recognise and value the importance of children in our lives and in our community.

“Our theme is Putting children first. What could be more simple and more powerful than putting the needs and interests of children ahead of our own. We must ensure the safety and wellbeing of our children.

“Children no matter where they live, what part of Australia, whether it’s in a big city, regional or remote communities, they have the same right to feel safe, they have the same right to feel like they belong, that people care about them, and that they can have a say in all of those matters that impact on them. It doesn’t matter where you live, we can all play our part in putting children first.”

National Child Protection Week runs from 6 – 12 September and involves community events (online and offline) all around Australia.

A key part of the 2020 campaign will be a series of more than 15 free online webinars, which invite members of the public to join conversations about child wellbeing.

The Governor-General will officially launch National Child Protection Week at a public live-streamed event on Monday 8 September.

For more information visit www.napcan.org.au.

NAPCAN is the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. NAPCAN coordinates National Child Protection Week annually with support from the Department of Social Services and many organisations and individuals across Australia.

Media contact: Helen Fogarty, NAPCAN, helen.fogarty@napcan.org.au 0410 541997