Child abuse prevention strategies are all about stopping child sexual abuse before it starts.
Preventing child abuse requires a whole host of community, legal and policy strategies to ensure that no child falls through the cracks.
Raising awareness in children and the community about the risks for child sexual abuse is key to increasing detection and promoting protective behaviours in children and their families.
Understanding the role of the internet in exposing children to the risks of child sexual abuse is also crucial. In 2015, the Federal Government appointed a children’s e-safety commissioner to improve cyber safety for children.
In 2009, all Australian governments banded together to agree to a plan of action to improve the protection of children over a decade. The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2009-2020) is a long-term, national approach that aims to protect children from all forms of neglect and abuse, including sexual abuse.
In addition to government and community prevention strategies, the National Framework highlights the role that organisations, businesses and institutions can play in developing procedures and policies to create child-safe organisations.
Advocacy organisations, such as Bravehearts, also promote wide-ranging prevention efforts. Bravehearts has a three-tier prevention strategy:
- Educate: All children receive effective personal safety education.
- Empower: All adults are trained, aware and motivated.
- Protect: All systems of community and government engage effectively.
