Carnarvon hosts morning tea event for child protection week to launch Protective Behaviours Referral Program

A first-of-its-kind program for regional WA will be launched in Carnarvon next week for National Child Protection Week, aimed at empowering kids at times when they feel unsafe or at risk of abuse.

National Child Protection Week is on from September 4 to 10, and the new Carnarvon protective behaviours referral program will be launched on Monday, September 5 with a morning tea and children’s art competition.

According to the Department of Health, research suggests one in four girls and as many as one in seven boys in Australia are sexually abused before they are 18, but only a small proportion ever speak up. The vast majority (96 per cent) are abused by someone they trust. The new program, designed to empower children in times when they feel unsafe or at risk of abuse, is a first for regional Western Australia.

The education program focuses on developing the skills of empowerment, communication, self-esteem, resilience, social skills and other life skills to prevent abuse and reduce violence.

Carnarvon Family Support Services will host the morning tea at the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre from 10am to 11.30am on September 5. The theme this year raises the importance of listening to the child’s needs more frequently.

Children aged four to 17 competed in a six-week art competition delivered to local schools, including School of the Air, in line with this year’s child protection week theme.

CFSS managing director Andrea Musulin said the art competition asked children to colour in and explain what it meant to be in a safe environment.

“Older children have been asked to prepare artwork explaining what they need to feel safe and supported,” she said.

“We need to hear children’s voices more and participating in the art competition is one way to hear their needs,” she said.

Ms Musulin said she would speak to guests about the new program and the benefits to the community.

The art competition began on Tuesday, July 19 and finished on Tuesday, August 30.