National Child Protection Week (NCPW): 1-7 September 2024
The continuing theme that:
Is complemented with the 2024 message that:
Conversations can help us understand issues, craft solutions, value community knowledge, and build the brains and social connections of children and young people.
Conversations between
…children and their caregivers matter (from the very earliest days)
…children and their peers matter
…families with teachers, doctors, and other professionals matter
…friends or neighbours matter
…decision-makers and the communities they serve matter.
Conversations are a valuable tool to shed light on harms experienced by children and young people. We need to have open, frank and supportive conversations around difficult topics in order to keep children safe, well connected to community and culture.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (SOSJ) pledge support for National Child Protection Week. You can click here to view our pledge.
Q: What does NAPCAN mean?
A: The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Q: What does NAPCAN do?
A: Raises awareness and works for the prevention of child abuse and neglect before it starts.
Q: How do they do that?
A:
- Promoting quality research so the causes and impact of child abuse and neglect can be better understood and effective ways to prevent it can be developed and measured.
- Coordinating National Child Protection Week and inviting all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. “Protecting children is everyone’s business.”
- Providing resources and training to support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Advocating for child safe policies and strategies.
- Developing and promoting community led prevention programs and initiatives.
NAPCAN invites us to participate in a webinar program during the week of National Child Protection Week. You are invited to view the week-long webinar program by clicking here and registering for these free webinars.
The Australian Catholic Church observes ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ (previously called ‘Child Protection Sunday’) on the second Sunday in September each year. Safeguarding Sunday coincides with National Child Protection Week and falls on Sunday 8 September 2024.
Safeguarding Sunday seeks to acknowledge the immense damage caused by the sexual abuse of children, including by priests, religious and lay people within the Catholic contexts. It makes a commitment to the practices and protocols that create and maintain safe environments for all people, especially children and other people who are at risk. It invites people to pray for those harmed by abuse directly and indirectly.
Looking ahead, the National Day of Sorrow and Promise is recognised on Sunday 20 October 2024. This day offers a national response from Catholic Religious to recognise all who have been harmed from abuse in the Church and to make a commitment to a safer future. Naming the abuse, pain and suffering helps us to ensure that such abuse does not occur again. Through prayer, we open ourselves to the movement of the Holy Spirit amongst that pain and suffering. It is expected that Catholic Religious Australia will have a Liturgy booklet available on their website, closer to the date.
Jane Lace
Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Images obtained from NAPCAN – National Child Protection Week.