Children ’s Health Bravehearts: Keeping Kids Safe is Everyone’s Business Stor y b y Jaso n Oxenbrid ge “Every organisation that works with children has a duty of care and responsibility to protect them.” Bravehearts Founder and CEO Hetty Johnston. Pindara Private Hospital is empowering its staff with key child protection skills following the implementation of a specialist training program developed by Bravehearts. Around 25 staff are now better equipped with necessary tools to assist them when responding appropriately and wholistically to disclosures of child sexual assault. The ‘Supporting Hands’ workshop is the culmination of 16 years evidence-based research and aims to address the myths and misperceptions commonly held in relation to this devastating crime. Hatched in collaboration with Bravehearts criminologists, psychologists, education teams and the Queensland Police Child Protection Unit, the training is being rolled out nationally to a wide range of organisations, including Little Athletics Australia, Mission Australia, Centacare and child care franchises. Pindara CEO Trish Hogan says the program is about creating awareness and a safer environment for children. “We are in the business of caring for people at their most vulnerable, so it is especially relevant for our staff to be involved in this specialist training program,” she says. Bravehearts Founder and CEO Hetty Johnston, says the program was developed to give all adults entrusted with the care of children the skills required to ensure their protection. “As adults, we all have a responsibility to protect children, especially those in our care. Child protection is everyone’s business and we applaud Pindara Private Hospital for its proactive approach in educating its staff,” she says. By increasing the general awareness of this crime and its prevalence in the Australian community, this program enables organisations to play a crucial role in helping to protect the most vulnerable members of our community whilst allaying the unhelpful fear factor associated with this sensitive issue. By being properly trained, adults who care for children can respond appropriately should a child disclose that something has happened to them. Ms Johnston says Australia has been hit with a real game changer with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. “The Royal Commission is shining light on a subject that for too many years has been kept in the shadows and many survivors of sexual assault are now coming forward and breaking the silence for the first time,” she says. “The fundamental truth is that we will never know who the offenders are unless the victims tell us, and the victims will never tell us unless we provide a society that actually encourages disclosure and then supports, protects and values their personal sacrifice when they do.” Research shows one in five Australian children will be sexually assaulted in some way before their 18th birthday. Many parents or carers are reluctant to act - not because they don’t care, but because they’re unable to recognise the signs and unsure what to do in the event they do discover something happening. Bravehearts’ Research Manager Carol Ronken, says the responses by government and non-government organisations, sporting entities, communities and individuals has to be wholistic. “While positive steps can be taken through education programs to empower and build resiliency in our children to lessen their vulnerability, it is equally as important that these programs are complemented by programs highlighting the responsibility adults play in keeping children safe,” she says. “It is our job as adults to prevent, recognise and react responsibly to child sexual assault. It is unrealistic to think that a young child should take responsibility for keeping themselves safe. Adults should be taking proactive steps to protect children from sexual harm.” Ms Ronken reiterated that to protect children and young people, adults working with them can play a key role in both protecting them from Pindara Magazine 60 Autumn - Winter | 2014
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Two
To see the actual publication please follow the link above