Child Protection Week starts on the 1st of September with the clear message that ‘every conversation matters’. 

Organised by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), Child Protection Week is a time to engage all Australians to ‘Play a Part’ in improving child well-being and keeping children safe in Australia. 

“Every conversation matters at every level, including nationally across our federation. It’s time we asked: Why is child safety and wellbeing not a priority for National Cabinet and how can we change that?” said guest speaker and Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds. 

To focus on creating better futures for children and young people, NAPCAN has put the theme ‘every conversation matters’ at the week’s core. Conversations are a crucial practice in preventing child abuse and neglect before it starts. 

NAPCAN is facilitating conversation this Child Protection Week with their free webinar series, where experts will explore areas such as digital safety and intergenerational solidarity. 

“We’re calling all Australians to start a new conversation that models empathy and understanding,” added NAPCAN’s Youth Speak Out Council Chair Oliver White. 

“That could be checking in with a young person in your life, or writing a letter to your local politician asking them what they are doing to create better futures for children.” 

NAPCAN CEO Leesa Waters highlighted that discussions at a national level are additionally needed. 

“We need to seize opportunities to have these conversations at a community level but also broader conversations that hold policy makers accountable, ensuring they consider not only tertiary responses but also preventative solutions and putting meaningful funding in this area.” 

“Prevention is our goal, prevention is possible, and we want it to be treated as a national priority.” 

According to Waters, this means they have to open a broader conversation about Child Abuse and Neglect with not only the Government, but also with the Media. 

NAPCAN will launch new media guidelines for reporting on children and young people at Parliament House, Canberra, following National Child Protection Week. 

“Research shows that media significantly influences policy in Australia, so how children and survivors of abuse are portrayed is crucial.” 

NAPCAN is in partnership with Third Sector for the  7^th National Child Protection Forum and the 2nd National Youth Justice Forum. Register now to learn more about child protection and youth justice!