The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) is urging Australians to take action to keep children and young people safe, with this year’s National Child Protection Week (7-13 September 2025) a reminder that child protection is a whole-of-community responsibility.
The 2025 theme for National Child Protection Week – ‘Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action’ – was developed off the back of feedback from NAPCAN’s youth council that, while conversations are important, children and young people want to know the adults in their lives understand how to step up and take tangible action to keep them safe from harm.
“Every year, National Child Protection Week reminds Australians about the role they have to play in ensuring every child and young person has the opportunity to grow up safe and free from harm,” says NAPCAN CEO Leesa Waters. “This year in particular has been particularly difficult for our communities, including families and those working in the childhood sector, as they grieve the impact of the widespread harm that has occurred, and as the Government urgently seeks to strengthen our national systems and safeguards.
“It is a particularly important time to remind our communities that child abuse and neglect is preventable, and that each and every one of us has a role to play. During this week and beyond, NAPCAN will be sharing tools, resources and information that will give Australians confidence about the positive role they can play in creating safer futures and safer communities for our young people.
“It’s important to remember that perpetrators aren’t just active in early learning spaces; we need regulation across all sectors, but we also need adults to step up and learn about the places where children are being cared for.
“By creating cultures where people are encouraged to watch and to speak out without fear of retribution, within all the different environments where kids are cared for, we create spaces that are hostile to perpetrators. Perpetrators will not stay in places where a culture of active child protection is at the forefront.”
The artwork that accompanies National Child Protection Week this year features falling dominoes – a symbol of the hope that comes from knowing small actions, taken together, result in whole-of-society change.
A range of events will take place across the country for National Child Protection Week, including a webinar series that has already begun. The 2025 program aims to strengthen support systems, challenge harmful attitudes, and provide communities with practical ways to prevent harm, while making sure to elevate culturally and geographically diverse voices within these important conversations. The program is now live on NAPCAN’s website.
This year, NAPCAN has also partnered with individuals and organisations that are inspiring others with their positive action to protect the safety and wellbeing of children and their families. For example, for the launch of National Child Protection Week on Sunday 7 September, NAPCAN is joining Man with a Pram founder Thomas Docking, whose mission in founding this initiative was to reinforce the importance of welcoming fathers and father figures into conversations about perinatal health – as isolating men from conversations about child wellbeing causes much more harm than good.
Media is welcome to take part in the National Child Protection x Man with a Pram launch event on Sunday 7 September at the Botanic Gardens in Sydney. For more information, and to RSVP, please get in touch using the contact details below.
“No matter whether you’re a parent, a childcare worker, a shop owner, a health practitioner, an aunt, uncle, friend or neighbour – you can make a difference. National Child Protection Week is a chance for everyone to ask, ‘What can I do today to make a child’s world safer?’” says Waters.
[ENDS]
Media contact:
Kirsty Sier
NAPCAN Communications Manager
0435 075 085
kirsty.sier@napcan.org.au
Related resources:
– National Child Protection Week, ‘Get Involved’
– NAPCAN ‘Tips for Playing Your Part’ – Community prevention resource
– National Child Protection Week, ‘Pledge Your Action’
– National Child Protection Week, Webinar program
– Man with a Pram, website
Opportunities for interview:
– Leesa Waters, NAPCAN CEO
– Lesley Taylor, NAPCAN Chair
