Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Supporting National Child Protection Week

As part of National Child Protection week, the Australian Government has provided $300,000 to the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse (NAPCAN), which is this year running the ‘Children See, Children Do’ campaign.

This powerful message reminds us that as adults, and especially parents, we are 24 hour a day role models.

Children follow the example set by adults and we all have a responsibility to be positive role models for children.

NAPCAN is organising events across Australia to raise awareness of the devastating impact of child abuse and the responsibility of all adults to break this cycle of abuse.

I urge all Australians to get behind the ‘Children See, Children Do’ message as part of National Child Protection week.

The Government is committed to tackling child abuse and neglect.

Every year there are 60,000 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect.

There are no simple or easy solutions. Parents and families will always have primary responsibility for caring for and protecting children. State and Territory Governments become directly involved in this relationship when children are at risk of neglect or abuse.

But when children are at risk, all levels of government have a responsibility to step in before children are hurt.

The Australian Government is committed to a child-centred approach. The best interests of children must drive policy making.

That’s why we are developing a National Child Protection Framework to provide Commonwealth leadership to protect our children.

The Framework will set out how we, as a nation, best protect and care for our children.

The Australian Government has received almost 200 letters and submissions in response to the Child Protection Framework discussion paper released in May.

The message is clear, it is essential to stop child abuse before it happens.

The Framework will be finalised by the end of the year and will be a practical, action-oriented strategy harnessing the capacity and knowledge of State and Territory Governments and experts in the field.