NAPCAN launches child protection survey

The Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, today launched the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) online survey and community engagement strategy to gain an insight into child abuse and neglect, and assist in developing prevention strategies.

The survey is part of national Child Protection Week, which runs from the 6 to 12 September. This year’s theme is ‘Help bring child abuse out in the open’, acknowledging that child abuse is often hidden behind a wall of fear, ignorance, denial and disinterest.

The Australian Government has committed $475,000 to help fund this year’s National Child Protection Week and deliver NAPCAN’s national survey of community attitudes to child abuse.

The survey has been developed by some of Australia’s leading child protection researchers and will collect and collate information on community attitudes, perceptions and understanding of child abuse and neglect.

The survey has been designed to:

• Provide the substantial evidence base that is essential for developing successful strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect;
• Get the whole community thinking and talking about the problem that is so often hidden behind closed doors; and
• Provide information about services and supports available to protect children.

The online survey will provide all levels of government and non-government organisations with a clearer picture of how to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Protecting Australia’s children is everyone’s business. I encourage all Australians to take part in this survey and help us understand the effects of child abuse and neglect in our communities.

The survey is an action under the Government’s National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children.

The National Framework is an ambitious, long-term approach supported by all levels of government to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Australian children.

The online survey is available at NAPCAN website (www.preventingchildabuse.com.au)