Child Protection Week: September 4-10

CHILD PROTECTION IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

LISTENING to children and young people is the number one indicator in assisting their safety and well-being.

Research shows that adults often don’t hear what children have to say. For a child that means that they may need to tell up to 6 adults before someone hears them about their abuse.

Queensland Child Protection Week runs from September 4-10, and highlights the essential role adults play in ensuring children’s safety and well-being. The annual campaign increases awareness and understanding of the importance of reducing child abuse and neglect in Australia.

“Children have a right to protection against neglect, abuse, exploitation and violence,” said Centacare North Queensland’s ROSA Therapeutic Counselling program manager Louise Skennerton.

“It is vital for adults and all members of society to play a part in ensuring children are nurtured and safe from harm.”

Centacare NQ provides a range of programs that aim to support and strengthen families through counselling, mediation, group education programs and support. 

The ROSA Therapeutic Counselling Program has been delivered at Centacare since 1995 and works with children who have experienced harm or neglect, and supports them to heal by providing therapeutic counselling.

The Family Intervention Service works with families to enhance family relationships and meet the care and developmental needs of their children. Both ROSA and the Family Intervention Service programs require referral from the Department of Communities, Child Safety Services. 

Centacare NQ also offers the BRIDGE Specialised Counselling and Support Service, an early intervention program that works with families to enhance family dynamics and reduce risk factors. BRIDGE accepts self-referrals, and aims to empower families to develop skills to manage emotional and behavioural concerns.

“Working with families is vital, as parenting is one of the most important roles one can play in a child’s life. With the right support, families can ensure their child has a healthy childhood,” Ms Skennerton said.

A number of Townsville organisations that provide child services will be running a Family Fun Day on Thursday, September 8^th from 9:30am-1pm at The Strand, near the Water Park. There will be a sausage sizzle, a jumping castle, face painting and lots of other activities for young children and their families.