MEDIA RELEASE - National Child Protection Week kicks off today with the clear message that ‘where we start matters’ 

MEDIA RELEASE – Sunday 3 September 2023

National Child Protection Week kicks off today with the clear message that ‘where we start matters’ 

National Child Protection Week starts today, 3 September, and this year’s theme is ‘Where we start matters’. 

Organised by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), Child Protection Week is a time to bring into focus the significant harms experienced by children around the country – including regional and rural Australia. 

In light of findings from the recent ground-breaking Australian Child Maltreatment Study, NAPCAN’s focus is on what all of us can do to STOP child abuse before it occurs.  

NAPCAN Patron, Governor-General David Hurley, says supporting children and families creates safer, healthier communities:

“National Child Protection Week is an opportunity for all Australians to work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child in every community.”

“I am proud to serve as Patron of NAPCAN and thank the many people and organisations around Australia contributing. I encourage all Australians to join in and learn from National Child Protection Week.”

NAPCAN CEO, Leesa Waters says the focus needs to be on prevention:  

“We all want the best for Australia’s children. However, the recent Child Maltreatment Study shows that in Australia our policies and communities are not yet giving families the support they need to protect children from abuse and its potential impacts.” 

“The study shows that 6 out of ten Australians have experienced abuse as a child, and that approximately half of these are currently living with serious mental health consequences.” 

“This year our focus is ‘where we start matters’ and a great place to start is by listening to children and their families about what they need.”

“Together we can start to build a shared understanding that this is an issue that impacts the whole community and that together we can (and must) prevent child abuse.”

………..

National Child Protection Week runs from 3 – 9 September and invites ALL Australians to join together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child in every community. 

The Governor-General will officially launch National Child Protection Week at a public live-streamed event at 10am on Monday 4 September. Register for the launch and free online webinars. 

Go to our website to learn more about NAPCAN’s work and how you can get involved in Child Protection Week: www.napcan.org.au/get-involved-2023/

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

ENDS

Media contact: Helen Fogarty, NAPCAN, helen.fogarty@napcan.org.au 0410 541 997