Get involved in the community
Child abuse will only stop if we all play a part. Here are a range of things we can all do to help protect children. You can make a real difference.
- Raise awareness about child abuse by talking to friends and neighbours about child abuse and how to prevent it.
- Help community groups, clubs or organisations to distribute copies of this booklet throughout the community.
- Support local efforts to help families, such as fundraising for a local family charity or a food or clothing drive.
- Get involved with your child’s school. Find out what they are doing to help prevent child abuse and neglect and how you might help.
- Raise the issue of children’s safety and protection in your local community groups, sporting clubs and service groups. As a group, you may be able to improve community awareness about the problem of child abuse and ensure the safety of children in your area by staging local events about children and their need for protection.
- Ensure organisations and clubs that have contact with children in your community have policies that outline safe and respectful ways of interacting with children. These guidelines should address bullying, discipline of children, sexism and racism. There should also be procedures for supporting children if they disclose that they are being hurt or abused by an adult involved in the organisation.
- Ensure organisations and clubs in your local community that have contact with children have policies regarding appropriate recruitment and screening processes, including mandatory police checks for staff and volunteers.
- Support organisations or businesses that are committed to promoting the protection of children in your community.