At BDO many of our team have undertaken Child Protection Training. You may have wondered what this entails so I thought we could explain that a bit more here, even though this is not an easy topic to discuss.

You will have seen or heard the slogan, “Child Protection is everyone’s business” and this is certainly true. In Queensland, educators and teachers have an extra responsibility to be vigilant for young people and children as they are regarded as vulnerable members of our community. The Child Protection Act 1999, declares that Child Safety employees and employees of licensed care services like Big Day Out are now mandated to report a reasonable suspicion that a child in care has suffered, is suffering or is at an unacceptable risk of suffering significant harm.

There are four different types of child abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. Child abuse can be a single incident, or can be several different incidents that take place over time.

How can you assist in protecting our youngest community members?

• Become knowledgeable about these issues even though they can be difficult or at times distressing to discuss or read about.
• Understand that there are no boundaries in this issue—it occurs everywhere in all kinds of families.
• If concerned about a child’s welfare or safety, speak up about your worries and go to the relevant authorities—don’t ignore the signs.

Who are the relevant authorities to contact if you are concerned?

• Police – call 000 if concerned about immediate danger to a child
• Child Safety Services—13 74 68 during office hours
• After hours and on weekends – contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135 or (07) 3235 9999. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Pick up and read our informative flyers on this sensitive topic so you know what this is all about. After all, Child Protection is everyone’s business and responsibility. For more information about this topic contact In Safe Hands 07 3851 1724 or the Child Safety Service Centre in Maroochydore on 07 5453 1888.

The best way to prevent this from occurring in your community is to BE ALERT, READ & UNDERSTAND THE SIGNS.