National Children’s Week 2020

It’s National Children’s Week! This week is all about celebrating children’s talents, skills, achievements and, importantly, their rights. As the National Office for Child Safety celebrates National Children’s Week, it is timely to reflect on our work and how it is making a difference to the lives of Australian children.

2nd anniversary of the National Apology

Last week, on Thursday 22 October 2020, we commemorated the second anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. This was an important day to recognise the ongoing impact on victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, their families and friends, and the need to take action to protect all children.

The National Apology in October 2018 followed the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The final report delivered 409 recommendations to better protect children against sexual abuse and improve responses when it does occur.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered a speech in Parliament to mark the second anniversary, acknowledging the suffering of victims and survivors, and reporting on progress made against the Royal Commission’s recommendations over the last two years.

National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

The National Office for Child Safety is working closely with stakeholders across the government and non-government sectors to finalise a National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse.

The National Strategy will focus on encouraging cultural change to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, and developing initiatives aimed at adult offenders.

This week the National Office for Child Safety kicked off the next stage of consultations, meeting with Commonwealth agencies to discuss the development and implementation of key national actions. The National Office for Child Safety will also shortly continue consultations on the National Strategy with the states and territories, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and their advocates, clinical practitioners, child protection experts, non‑government organisations and institutions.

New National Children’s Commissioner

Ms Anne Hollonds commences as the new National Children's Commissioner on Monday, 2 November. Formerly the Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, Ms Hollonds replaces Australia's inaugural Children's Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, who served in the role for seven years.

As the National Children's Commissioner, Ms Hollonds will promote discussion and awareness of the voice of the child and issues affecting children, commission research and education programs, consult directly with representative organisations, and examine Commonwealth legislation, policies and programs that relate to children's human rights.

The National Office for Child Safety welcomes Ms Hollonds to the role and looks forward to working together.

Day for Daniel

The National Office for Child Safety will be wearing red and joining fundraising efforts around the country to commemorate the ‘Day for Daniel’ on Friday 30 October 2020 —a day of action to raise awareness of child safety, protection, and harm prevention—and remember Daniel Morcombe. On this day, we encourage parents, carers, and educators to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety.