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WHITE BALLOON DAY seeks an army of Ninja Chalkers to Chalk about child protection

Announcement posted by Bravehearts 21 Aug 2018

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“WHITE BALLOON DAY seeks an army of Ninja Chalkers to

Chalk about child protection

White Balloon Day is on Friday 7 September - During National Child Protection Week 2 – 8 September 2018

Australia’s leading child protection advocate Bravehearts is calling on everybody to help raise awareness and demonstrate support for the thousands of children who are still being sexually assaulted today and for all survivors everywhere. 

Hetty Johnston AM, Founder of Bravehearts said, “This year, when it comes to child protection, we are asking people to ‘Chalk about it’. When you use chalk to draw your balloon with a message of support you can be sure it is environmentally safe and that someone who needs to see will see it.

“What is almost guaranteed is that your chalk messages will be seen by the one in five kids and one in five adults in our society who are, or have been, victims of child sexual assault. It is a simple but powerful way for people everywhere to break the silence on child sexual assault and tell someone, to show them we care and to signal our support for them when they do,” Hetty said.

Bravehearts is looking to ignite a Citizens Army of Ninja Chalkers. Mums, Dads, kids and families are encouraged to grab some white chalk and draw White Balloons along with messages of support on driveways, footpaths and other safe community surfaces throughout the nation”.

“Balloons are safe indoors when disposed of sensibly but we need another approach for outdoors to ensure balloons do not harm wildlife. The Federally Government funded White Balloon Day campaign, now in its 22nd year, continues to demonstrate how powerful and effective it is in ‘Breaking the silence on child sexual assault’ and reaching out in support of victims and survivors – to show them we care and to warn off would-be offenders.”

“With rates of child sexual assault and exploitation in Australia remaining at crisis levels, now more than ever Bravehearts needs the support of communities and governments to help increase awareness to protect children from a crime that breaks the little hearts and spirits of Australia’s most precious treasures – our children,” she said.

For White Balloon Day, we’re inviting every parent and carer to help protect their children from harm by utilising Bravehearts FREE Personal Safety Parents’ Guide (www.whiteballoonday.com.au/useful-downloads/) and ‘Chalk About Child Protection’ with their children.

Bravehearts’ annual White Balloon Day is Australia’s largest national campaign to raise awareness of and funds for, the prevention of child sexual assault. Its importance cannot be overstated.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2017) more than 1.4 million Australians (over 1 million women (11%) and almost 412,000 (5%) of men) reported being sexually assaulted before their 15th Birthday, with more than half (58%) assaulted for the first time before they turned 10-years-old.

In 2016 alone, of the 23,052 total cases of sexual assault recorded by police in Australia, 12,956 were child victims aged 0 – 19 years accounting for 56% of all sexual assault crimes in this country.  

Hetty Johnston added, “When we consider that the majority of child sexual assault continues to go unreported, we begin to understand the magnitude of the crisis facing our kids and families. One in five children will be victims of child sexual assault before they turn 18. We know the harm this causes, the lives lost, the hopes and dreams destroyed, the destinies derailed.  

 “Sadly, if we were to bring all these children together in one place, they would fill the MCG not once, but a staggering eight times – that is the tragic magnitude of this largely hidden crime against Australian children with the long-term damage caused estimated to cost the Australian economy between $13.7 to $38.7 billion.

“For those of us who do care; for those of us who do listen; the sound of their suffering is deafening. 

“Simply chalking about it - drawing a chalk white balloon with a message is a powerful and beautiful way to send these children a message of support,” Ms Johnston said.

Bob Atkinson AO APM, Former Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse said, “As a long term supporter of Bravehearts, the community’s support for White Balloon Day is vital.

“An individuals’ safety underpins their entire quality of life and is a right, not an option.

“While there is still much to do in that regard, Bravehearts is at the forefront of child protection and with widespread community support we will enable this organisation’s important and valuable work,” the Former Commissioner said.  

During National Child Protection Week, everyone can Chalk about it to help our children stay safe by participating in White Balloon Day and registering at whiteballoonday.com.au.

Bravehearts is Australia’s leader in child protection, offering specialised child protection training, personal safety education, and counselling and support for children, adults and their families affected by child sexual assault. Parents and carers can download free resources about personal safety for children from bravehearts.org.au. 

For those need support, please call Bravehearts’ toll free Support Line on 1800 272 831 (Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 4:30pm AEST) or visit bravehearts.org.au.  #WBD2018 #ProtectKids #bravehearts #ChildProtectionWeek #WhiteBalloonDay #BeBalloonSafe

White Balloon Day is funded by Commonwealth's Department of Social Services, National Initiatives.

-ENDS-

 

PLEASE SEE JOURNALIST NOTES WITH STATISTICS BELOW

Interviews with Hetty Johnston AM and adult victims of child sexual assault are available on request. Contact pa@bravehearts.org.au   P: 07 5552 3027 More info at www.bravehearts.org.au


JOURNALIST NOTES

White Balloon Day is on Friday 7 September during National Child Protection Week 2-8 September 2018

 

Bravehearts & White Balloon Day – Educate, Empower, Protect our kids!

Bravehearts is Australia’s leading voice for child protection and has been dedicated to protecting Australian children for 22 years.  White Balloon Day, which is endorsed and funded by the Department of Social Services National Initiatives, is the longest running annual national campaign to increase community awareness of the crime of child sexual assault and its prevention.  White Balloon Day is also Bravehearts’ principle annual fundraising event.

All Australians are invited to support the campaign by registering at www.whiteballoonday.com.au

PLEASE NOTE: Bravehearts is aware that balloons, when released outside and not disposed of accordingly, are damaging to the environment. This is why Bravehearts DOES NOT endorse the release or use of balloons out of doors in any way as part of our annual White Balloon Day campaign.

 

Australian Child Sexual Assault Statistics

  • Every 90 minutes an Australian child is sexually assaulted.
  • 58,000 Australian children are sexually assaulted in Australia each year.
  • One in five Australian children will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday. 
  • The majority of child sexual assault crimes are perpetrated by persons known to the child.
  • A sample of Australian women showed that 45% reported experiencing at least one unwanted sexual incident before 16 years of age by family members (31%), friends (54%) or strangers (14%).
  • Fewer than 28% of victims of child sexual assault disclose to authorities. Of this, only 17% of offences reported to police, result in convictions.

 

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Bravehearts’ specialised services address the recommendations in Outcome 6 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.  White Balloon Day supports The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 and is endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments.

 

The outcomes of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse have given adult survivors hope and in some cases, redress. With data from NSW Police showing 4% of all recent reported allegations were associated with an institution, this indicates that assaults in institutional environments are declining. 

With one Australian child sexually assaulted every 90 minutes, increasing awareness and education of this crime can increase reports of child sexual assault by persons known to the child and empower them with strategies and confidence to find their voice to say NO to child sexual assault and disclose to someone they know they can trust.

Recommendation 6.12

Among the recommendations, the Royal Commission called for support from governments at the national, state and territory levels, local governments, should designate child safety officer positions from existing staff profiles to carry out the following functions:

  • Developing child safe messages in local government venues, grounds and facilities;
  • Assisting local institutions to access online child safe resources;
  • Providing child safety information and support to local institutions on a needs basis; and,
  • Supporting local institutions to work collaboratively with key services to ensure child safe approaches are culturally safe, disability aware and appropriate for children from diverse backgrounds.

The Effects of Child Sexual Assault on Individuals and the Community

The Effects on Child Victims

More than 80% of children who experienced child sexual assault are reported to have some post-traumatic stress symptoms. Disclosure and reporting of the crime of child sexual assault can lead to preventing further harm and potentially; the prosecution of perpetrators while improving long-term outcomes for victims through counselling and support. However, the traumatic impact on victims can cause emotional distress and a range of cognitive distortions in childhood, including feelings of hopelessness, impaired trust and self-blame leading to the following issues:

  • Behaviour problems, poor self-esteem, and sexualised behaviours;
  • Development of insecure attachment patterns;
  • Failure to develop brain capacities necessary for modulating emotions;
  • Inability to discriminate among and label affective states;
  • Detachment from awareness of emotions and self;
  • Under-controlled and over-controlled behaviour patterns;
  • Lower grades and poorer academic achievement;
  • A defective, helpless, deficient sense of self; and,
  • Greater internalising and externalising behaviour problems.

The Effects on Adult Survivors

The impact of the crime of child sexual assault can last a lifetime with adults suffering from a number of behavioural and metal health conditions including:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, reduced self-esteem, drug and alcohol dependence, heavy and hazardous drinking, illicit drug and substance abuse, drug overdose, anti-social and harmful behaviour; and increased violence and hostility among male victims.
  • There is an increased likelihood of being arrested in adolescence by as much as 59%.
  • They are 49 times more likely to die from accidental overdose than other Australians.
  • Suicide is significantly higher (18 times higher) among adult victims of child sexual assault compared to other Australians. Women victims are 40 times more likely to take their own life.

The Fiscal Effects on the Australian Economic & Community

According to studies (2007), the future financial cost to Australia over the lifetime of abused, neglected and sexually assaulted children is estimated to be approx. between $13.7 ($105k per child) and $38.7 billion ($297k per child).

 

Adult Responses to the Subject of Child Sexual Assault

In 2009, the Australian Childhood Foundation published outcomes from their third survey on the national community attitude about child sexual assault and child protection. Key findings included:

  • 1 in 3 Australians would not believe children if they disclosed they were being assaulted.
  • Greater than 1 in 4 Australians do not feel confident enough to recognise the signs of child abuse, neglect and child sexual assault.
  • 1 in 5 lacked the confidence to know what to do if they suspected that a child was being harmed.
  • Unless they come face to face with the issue, collectively Australians rate petrol prices, public transport and roads as issues of greater concern than child abuse and sexual assault.
  • 90% of adults surveyed believed that the community needs to be better informed about the problem of child abuse and sexual assault in Australia.
  • 86% of Australian believed that Commonwealth and State Governments should invest more money in protecting children from abuse, neglect and sexual assault.

 

Indicators of Child Sexual Assault for Parents & Teachers

As children often lack the words to describe sexual assault, they find it exceptionally difficult to disclose.  The more severe the degree of harm, the less likely it is that the child/young person will disclose. The fear of a negative reaction and possible punishment can also prevent children from speaking out.   

Children may try to subtly open the conversation by asking “Do you like so and so?… I don’t” or “I’ve got a secret”. However, there are a number of physical and behavioural symptoms that indicate a child or young person may have been harmed.  While physical and behavioural symptoms should be viewed as a sign that something may be worrying the child, it should NOT be automatically assumed that harm is occurring.  By talking to the child, this may reveal something quite innocent so be sure to speak with the child before making accusations.

 

What Parents & Adults Should Look For

Parents, teachers, carers, child protection workers, counsellors etc, all need to know the symptoms of child sexual assault so if  there are significant changes in behaviour, increased fears, or physical symptoms, they can talk to the child to discuss what they might be feeling.

 

 

Common Indicators in Children

Common Indicators in Offenders

 

·        Fear of being hurt during nappy change or dressing.

·        Loss of concentration.

·        Development of eating disorders.

·        Fear of being alone with a particular person.

·        Sexual themes in artwork, stories, play etc..

·        Showing a knowledge of sexual behaviour beyond their years.

·        Bedwetting or soiling after being toilet trained.

·        “Acting out” behaviours; for example, aggression, destructive behaviours, truanting behaviour.

·        “Acting in” behaviours; for example, withdrawal from friends, depression.

·        Vaginal, penile or anal soreness, discharge or bleeding.

·        Problems with friends and schoolwork.

·        Vague symptoms of illness such as headache or tummy ache.

·        Self-harming.

·        Inappropriate displays of affection or sexualised play.

·        Over attention to adults of a particular sex.

 

·        Paying particular interest to a child.

·        Isolating a child from other children.

·        Engaging in inappropriate/unwanted close physical contact with a child.

·        More interested in children than adults.

·        Suspicious behaviour in relation to children (watching/following/photos/gifts).

·        Often has a special ‘child friend’.

·        Encourages secrets in children.

·        Links sexuality and aggression in language or behaviour.

·        Makes reference to or makes fun of children’s bodies.

·        Describes children with sexual words.

·        Seems unclear about what is appropriate with children and what is not.

·        Has an interest in sexual fantasies involving children.

·        Looks at or downloads child pornography.

·        Asks adult partners to act or dress like a child or teenager during sexual activity.