What do you know about the issue of child abuse and child protection?
You may have worked with children before and had previous training about the topic. You may know someone who has experienced abuse and violence. You may have read about it in the media. You may know very little about the topic at all.
Regardless of your level of experience, it is challenging to engage with the thought that children are most often abused by someone known to them – a parent or trusted adult, including people engaged in organisations to help and support children. This contradicts the popular view that families and organisations that work with children are always nurturing, protective and safe places for them.
Despite the reality that child abuse, violence and exploitation is faced by millions of children around the world, it is an issue that very few Australians really comprehend.
Module 2 Summary:
- All children have a right to grow up protected from harm
- Child abuse is a complex problem affecting many thousands of children in Australia.
- Child abuse is under-reported in both families and organisations.
- Child abuse can occur in the community, the family, and within the context of organisations that provide services to children and families.
- The abuse of children by employees and participants of organisations has been of increasing concern in Australia.
- Children cannot stop child abuse. Adults can. The first step in stopping abuse is being aware of it.
- While there are many factors that contribute to the likelihood of abuse occuring in organisations, organisations can take steps to protect children and young people in their care.