Parents from Brisbane Catholic Education school St John Vianney’s Primary School are taking child safety seriously this Child Protection Week (4 to 10 September).
Over 60 parents gathered on Tuesday (6 September) to hear from a ThinkUKnow program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry partners to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
St John Vianney’s Primary School Principal Katherine McKay said this Child Protection Week, it was her ‘mission’ to ensure her parent community is informed about child safety and protection.
“The ThinkUKnow program informs parents about the dangers of the internet and how we can keep our children safe and work together to prevent online child sexual exploitation,” she said.
“It is pleasing to see our parents turning up for the parent evening to discuss important issues of child safety, to not only protect their own children but also the students in our broader school community.
“Programs like this help raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection, including child abuse prevention, treatment, research, education, service provision and support for children, young people and families. We are grateful to have received a Queensland Child Protection Week Committee grant to allow us to hold this important event.
“The program was a huge success and I know our parent community took so much away from it.
“Not only did parents learn about the importance of child safety, but also how we can protect their children from online grooming, image-based abuse, and sexual extortion.
“Child protection is everyone’s responsibility and I urge parents and adults to always trust their instincts and report suspicious or inappropriate behaviour towards children.”
About ThinkUKnow Australia:
ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), delivered nationally in partnership with police and industry partners to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
The ThinkUKnow program is a partnership with the AFP, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Datacom and Microsoft Australia, and in collaboration with all State and Territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.
About Child Protection Week:
Child Protection Week in Queensland is coordinated by the Child Protection Week Committee under the auspicing body of Act for Kids. In other states NAPCAN runs National Child Protection Week.