A Shared Commitment To Every Child’s Safety

Monday 20 July, 2026 – The courage of Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper transformed a documentary screening into the beginning of a shared and unifying commitment.

Their decision to pursue justice publicly through Surviving Malka Leifer created the conditions for more than thirty-five leaders from multicultural, multifaith and ethno-specific organisations to come together in Melbourne on 25 June 2026 with a common purpose: the safety of every child and young person.

Across our many cultures and faith traditions runs a shared belief that children are precious, that communities carry a collective responsibility to protect them, and that silence can never outweigh justice. These values have sustained families across generations. They also provide the strongest foundation for preventing abuse, supporting victim-survivors and creating communities where every child can grow up safe, respected and free from harm.

This gathering affirmed that safeguarding is strengthened when communities lead alongside one another. Our cultural knowledge, our faith traditions, our lived experience and our longstanding relationships of trust are not barriers to this work; they are among its greatest strengths.

Inspired by the leadership of Dassi, Nicole and Elly, we commit to working collectively across communities to strengthen safeguarding, share knowledge and resources, amplify community leadership, and advocate for systems that place the rights, dignity and safety of children and young people at their centre.

This is the beginning of an enduring collaboration between multicultural and multifaith organisations committed to ensuring that every child, in every community, is protected, valued and able to flourish.

Our table will continue to grow. If your community is ready to be part of the change, contact us to request a seat at the table.

Endorsed by participants in the Surviving Malka Leifer Screening and Safeguarding Roundtable, Melbourne, 25 June 2026.

If you are a multicultural or multi-faith organisation and would like to be involved, please email safeguarding@childhood.org.au.

Signatories:

Ames Australia
Arabic Welfare
Australian Childhood Foundation
Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights
Centre of Advancing Women
Eastern Community Legal Centre
Greek Community School of Geelong
Hellenic Orthodox Community of Geelong
inTouch
Islamic Council of Victoria
Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne
Pathways Melbourne
Polaron Connect
Relationship Matters
Safe and Equal
Settlement Council of Australia
Settlement Services International
Sexual Assault Services Victoria
The Salvation Army Australia Territory
Wellsprings for Women

Media enquiries:

Cait Wilding
Marketing Manager
Phone: 0492 024 766
Email: cwilding@childhood.org.au