National Child Protection Week
Police Commissioners across Australia and New Zealand have launched a Child Protection Strategy in response to the continued appalling rate of child abuse. The launch of the Strategy coincides with Child Protection Week (4-11 September 2011).
Child Protection Week is co-ordinated by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. The theme of Child Protection Week this year is ‘Play Your Part’ and aims to showcase how organisations such as police are mitigating the pervasive effects of child abuse.
Police in Australia and New Zealand have sought to enhance the protection of children through the ANZPAA Child Protection Committee (ACPC). The ACPC is comprised of the Heads of Child Protection or equivalent from each policing jurisdiction in Australia and New Zealand. Under direction from the ANZPAA Board, the ACPC developed the ‘Australia and New Zealand Policing Strategy to Reduce the Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children’.
The Strategy aims to further:
- promote early intervention and prevention
- increase responsiveness to victims and reports of child abuse
- build consistency in the investigation of child abuse
- establish and enhance standards and principles of best practice
- support and promote a whole-of-community approach
- develop appropriate responses to Indigenous communities and culturally and linguistically diverse and emerging communities.
As well as the national launch of this publication, police jurisdictions will be undertaking a range of activities promoting and targeting child abuse (please refer to partners websites).
ANZPAA CEO Jon White Radio Interview on SBS World News (.mp3 file)
