Schools and Communities:
Most of us recognise that child protection is key to ensuring that children in our communities, families and schools are safe, nurtured and protected. Sometimes this means acknowledging that children are neglected or harmed in these same places. That is hard to acknowledge. As such, children continue to experience child abuse and neglect in our society.
In order to stop child abuse and neglect and ensure child protection in our society, we all need to play our part by assisting families who struggle and by speaking out about abuse when we see it or hear about it. Often children tell us what is happening to them through either very clear statements or in subtle ways. Our role as adults is to pay attention regardless of the way children tell us what is happening for them. Another role we can play is in hearing parents when they say they are finding their role of parenting difficult and offer assistance.
When children speak out or adults speak out on behalf of children they need those involved in the wider child protection system to be well trained and available to pay attention to what they are saying. This includes the Queensland Police Service, professionals such as Social Workers, Psychologists and Psychiatrists as well as Teachers who are often in the key position of being able to note difficulties for children and their families. Family members and friends also play a crucial role in such disclosures in terms of hearing what is stated and offering support and friendship. When unable to offer such support or when such support isn’t accepted, family members and friends can contact community organisations of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services to seek further assistance for the child/ren and family.
Child abuse and neglect only continues when those able to do something, do nothing.
Fact Sheets:
What is child abuse?
http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/protecting-children/what-is-child-abuse
Responding to disclosures of child sexual abuse:
Queensland Domestic & Family Violence fact sheets:
https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/domestic-and-family-violence-resources
Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research:
https://noviolence.org.au/resources/
Children and Young people’s rights:
Charter of rights books describe the core rights that apply to every child and young person who is subject to the custody or guardianship of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. The Charter of rights books are distributed to all young people entering care in Queensland and include:
Kids Rights is aimed at 4 to 10 year olds and is in the form of a children's story book.
My journey in care is aimed at 10 to 18 year olds and uses a notebook style layout with cartoons and photos, including Indigenous artwork from a young person in care.
Resources for Schools:
Daniel Morcombe Foundation:
https://danielmorcombefoundation.com.au/keeping-kids-safe-resources/
Bravehearts
Support Services and resources for Schools and Communities working with children who have a disability:
My Future My Life www.myfuturemylife.com.au/
or
www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/support-and-services/our-services/my-future-my-life
For further resources and information go to the information and resources for Adults
Support Services for children, young people and parents:
The Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Parentline: 1300 30 1300 from 8am-10pm, 7 days a week.
Headspace:
Find a centre: https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/
https://headspace.org.au/schools/headspace-in-schools/
headspace Schools is a national workforce that supports, engages and partners with education and health sectors across Australia, to build the mental health literacy and capacity of workforce's. It is fully funded and free for schools.