Ambo advocates for kids

Local paramedic Dave Watson sees first hand the lifelong effects sexual abuse can have on a child, often treating them as adults dealing with an array of drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

On September 6 for the second year in a row, Mr Watson hosted a fundraiser and information session for Bravehearts aimed at equipping parents with vital tools.

“The fundraiser for Bravehearts – a not-for-profit organisation that provides education, training, counselling, support, research and lobbying – was at St Therese Catholic Primary School from 3.30pm until 4.30pm,” Mr Watson said.

“Activities included a sausage sizzle, silent auction and guest speakers from Victoria Police and Bravehearts. It would’ve been good to get more parents there because the information was for them, it’s about protecting their kids in this online age.

“We raised around $2,000 for Bravehearts so they can continue doing the work they do educating kids within schools and providing services including counselling.

“As a paramedic I often see the aftermath decades later with drug and alcohol abuse and mental health and suicide. My goal is to try and prevent it happening to kids in the first place, that’s everything.”

Speaking on behalf of Victoria Police, Leading Senior Constable Cathryn Hastie said children know what’s right and wrong online but are often “tempted” to do things they normally wouldn’t.

“The key to keeping your children safe is supervision. You need to know what your kids are doing online and limit the amount of time they’re able to do it,” Snr Const. Hastie said.

“The average age of a gamer is a 30-year-old male. You wouldn’t send your child to the park to play with men in their thirties, so you have to supervise them and know what they’re up to.”

Detective Sergeant Brad Marks from SOCIT Geelong (Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team) said it was important to reiterate to kids not to send images of themselves.

“Don’t send pictures; they’re out there forever. If a girl got talked into sending a photo, and the boy shares it with 50 of his closest friends then suddenly that girl’s getting bullied and she doesn’t want to go to school,” Sgt Marks said.

“Don’t send them: once it’s out there, it’s out there, forever and no one wants the stigma associated with that.”

Mr Watson said he will be hosting an event in Anglesea and another one in Torquay shortly.

“Bravehearts needs the funding and parents can find out about the technologies being used to groom and trap kids. It’s important for parents to be up to date with changing technology.”