As National Child Protection Week unfolds, Kids Helpline, is reminding the community of the crucial role everyone plays in safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people.
The theme of this year’s Child Protection Week, “Every Conversation Matters,“ aligns closely with the mission of Kids Helpline, emphasising the importance of open dialogue in protecting vulnerable youth.
Yourtown CEO Tracy Adams highlighted the growing concern around child abuse, noting a significant increase in the number of children and young people reaching out to Kids Helpline for support.
“It’s hard for children and young people to lead happy lives if they are not safe,“ she said.
“Current data reveals that child abuse is an increasingly common topic among those contacting our counsellors, rising from one in fifteen in 2022-23 to one in fourteen in 2023-24.“
In the fiscal year 2023-24, child abuse was the subject of 4,924 contacts to Kids Helpline, representing 7 per cent of all interactions with the service.
This figure underscores the growing need for effective child protection measures, as one in fourteen contacts raised concerns about abuse when connecting with a counsellor.
The urgency of the situation is further highlighted by the fact that child abuse accounted for 30 per cent of all 4,047 emergency interventions conducted by Kids Helpline counsellors in 2023-24.
These interventions, which involve engaging external services such as police or ambulance, are critical in assisting children and young people who have experienced harm or are at risk of harm.
“Kids Helpline is committed to the safety and wellbeing of young people,“ Ms Adams continued.
“We recognise that crucial conversations about their safety may need to take place at any time, which is why our service is available 24/7 at no cost. Kids Helpline has become an essential safety net within the child protection ecosystem.“
Adams also acknowledged the bravery of the young people who reach out for support, emphasising the importance of accessible services.
“Ensuring that support is provided in the ways young people prefer is key, and there must be no ’wrong door’ to accessing that support,“ she said.
“Our counsellors play a critical role, especially when other services are closed or overwhelmed.“
In addition to one-on-one counselling, Kids Helpline has developed a peer-to-peer social platform called My Circle, where young people can engage in a safe online environment moderated by trained counsellors.
This platform is a testament to the resilience and strength of young people who are taking part in “conversations that matter.“
“If we are to leave no child behind, every opportunity must be taken to ensure that conversations about child protection happen every day, not just during Child Protection Week.“
