Queensland Child Protection Week (QCPW) runs from September 3 – 9, with the key theme being to continue to embrace the overarching message that ‘every child, in every community, needs a fair go’ and ‘where we start matters.’
‘Where we start’ serves as an important reminder that we can all make a significant and positive difference to the children and young people’s lives, and as a community we can provide support to children and their families who need police assistance.
In the lead up to QCPW, police across the Ipswich District are trained to deliver personal safety presentations.
The Personal Safety program can be adapted to suit people of all ages and abilities in all situations where personal safety is a concern.
For children and young people, we know they thrive when they can grow up in environments in which they feel safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.
Every child has the right to grow up in an environment that supports them according to their needs, now and in the future.
In conjunction with police, The Daniel Morcombe Foundation have created the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum that is presented in schools as a part of the ‘Keeping Kids Safe’ program.
During QCPW, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation have produced the a new program called That’s Suss esafety Challenge, that is specifically designed for children from 8 to 12 years of age.
In this program, children learn how to recognise red flags, react to their body clues and how to report online grooming and suspicious behaviour.
Schools can also register to view the livestreaming of Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson, which will be on Tuesday, September 5.
Throughout QCPW, schools across the Ipswich District have nominated police to speak to students on personal safety and protective behaviours.
This presentation aims to enhance problem-solving and communication skills, and encourages individuals to identify situations that are unsafe or potentially unsafe, and to develop strategies to counter these situations.
The program is based on two simple themes:
- We all have the right to feel safe all the time – which encourages participants to recognise their inherent right to feel safe, as well as respect the right to safety of others.
- Nothing is so awful that we can’t talk with someone about it – which encourages participants to identify and seek assistance from trusted network members when they do not feel safe.
During the presentations, students learn to recognise the early warning signs of feeling unsafe including butterflies in the stomach, sweaty hands, racing heart and goose bumps.
These ‘gut instincts’ let us know the situation may be unsafe and that safety strategies are needed to restore them to a state of physical and emotional safety.
Students will also look at developing a network of people that are accessible, supportive, trustworthy, and willing to listen.
If we are experiencing a ‘personal emergency’, our network needs to be willing to take action or assist in order to restore feelings of safety.
The Personal Safety program is available to schools and community groups.
For further information or to book your school for personal safety presentations, contact the Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit on 3817 1351 or email [email protected]
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