Reaching out to the most vulnerable: Southern Health launches SECASA Kids Website

Southern Health’s South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA) today officially launched a dedicated website aimed at helping children who are dealing with sexual assault.

The website at http://www.secasakids.com.au provides information about sexual assault and family violence for young people.

SECASA Manager Ms Carolyn Worth said the website was made possible through a grant of $60, 000 from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation.

“The purpose of the grant was to utilise internet technologies to engage youth that have experienced child sexual assault or family violence. We were to create a new website for 12-18 year olds to provide information and a non threatening first point of contact with counselors,” Ms Worth said.

“The reason we put in the submission was that we had noticed that under 20 year olds never filled in any survey data on the main SECASA website.

In addition research was showing that although most young people rely on the internet for information most of them do not use search engines but rely on 'word of mouth' via social networking.”

Victorian Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary spoke at the launch congratulating SECASA on offering such a vital service.

“(this website) is an important and brilliant new resource for young people and their families and friends. It is so important that when trying to connect with young people, that you are able to communicate to them in a way they understand, in an environment they feel comfortable with,” Mr Geary said.

For more information contact Southern Health’s Senior Media Communications Manager Suzana Talevski on 9594 2747 or 0409 23936.