Child protection program visits Geelong

CHILD protection organisation Bravehearts visited a childcare centre in Geelong West earlier this week to arm kindergarten students with a raft of safety skills aimed at protecting them against child sexual abuse.

Students at Geelong West Busy Bees were given the opportunity to participate in the organisation’s national personal safety education program, Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure, learning “It’s okay to say no” and “Nothing is so yucky that you can’t tell someone about it”.

While dancing and participating in sing-alongs and short games, the kindergarteners were taught about the body’s warning signs, such as wobbly legs and a fast heartbeat, e-safety, and who to speak to when they feel unsafe.

Busy Bees has an ongoing relationship with Bravehearts, and Victorian operations director Shaun Nicholls said the education program was a great way to give children a voice and teach them about safety.

“Child safety is such a big component of everyday living now especially with…the safety concerns around online and I think it’s great to have the kids feel that they are in power.

“Little programs like this, I think, it’s got so much traction to [support] them to talk to their families and their loved ones.

“I’ve got a child who’s two… and I think it’s a really good framework that Bravehearts have built and working with Busy Bees to make sure that we provide that to [the] just under 10,000 kids we’ve got [in our childcare centres] across Australia.”

He said Bravehearts had helped Busy Bees build its own framework to safeguard children, helping to ensure “they’ve got the best start in life” and have everything they need to feel safe and protected.

Bravehearts’ visit to Geelong comes as registrations open for the organisation’s largest annual fundraiser, Bravehearts Day, which will take place on September 6.

Bravehearts chief executive Alison Geale urged the community to support the event and take collective action against child sexual abuse, a crime experienced by one in four Australian children.

“We’re calling on Australians to band together to help making uncomfortable conversations more comfortable,” she said.

“By donating, hosting a fundraising event or taking on the #BraveChallenge, we are one step closer to reversing these devastating statistics in a bid to help protect society’s most vulnerable – our children.”

This year marks the first time the #BraveChallenge has been introduced to the fundraiser, with the community invited to, either as an individual or group, take on a simple challenge, from fitness to baking, or participate in “brave” conversations,

All funds raised will support the delivery of Bravehearts’ personal safety program to children across the country, as well as its counselling services.

“Since 2016, more than 1.4 million children have participated in our national personal safety education program, Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure, and our work doesn’t stop there.

“This Bravehearts Day, we raise to aim $250,000 to empower kids through education programs and provide support programs for victims, survivors and families.”

For more information, or to get involved in Bravehearts Day, head to braveheartsday.com.au or phone 1800 272 831.