Media Releases
Abuse Epidemic urges Australians to
1 in 4 girls (children) are sexually abused in Australia*
1 in 7 boys (children) are sexually abused in Australia*
31% of respondents in an Australian study stated they would not believe children's stories about being abused, meaning most children have to tell 3 different adults before they are believed**
16% were unclear whether sex between an adult and a 14 year old constitutes sexual abuse**
The overall cost of 30,009 cases of child sexual abuse to the Australian tax payers could be estimated at $2.58 billion increasing every year***
Only about 3% of abused children will ever tell****
Only 5% of child sex offenders will have criminal convictions for their crimes as the vast majority of these abusers are never caught*****
In response to alarming rates of child sexual abuse, Child Wise, Australia's leading international child protection charity will be launching a national SPEAK UP campaign on February 12, 2008. The SPEAK UP program aims to encourage Australians to speak up and report child sexual abuse. The campaign also educates Australians on how to identify signs of abuse and abusers, teach people how to talk to children if they have concerns about child sexual abuse, and know who to speak to and how to report it.
Bernadette McMenamin, CEO, Child Wise, says "These figures are abhorrent and must not be tolerated. Child sexual abuse is indeed in a national emergency that we must address urgently. Child sexual abuse is a hidden epidemic and our last taboo that we must expose. It is unacceptable that we as a nation stand by while millions of our children (indigenous and non-indigenous) are being harmed in ways that will traumatise them often for the rest of their lives."
The reasons for why offenders sexually abuse children are complex, however studies have shown that a vast majority were abused themselves, creating a vicious cycle which is mostly about having power and control. However, rather than focussing on the offenders, full efforts should be made to create awareness amongst communities with the aim to provide a safer environment for children to grow up in. If we can stop children from being abused we can prevent future generations of child sexual offenders.
"It is easy to turn away when something so horrific and incomprehensible to the average person occurs," states Ms. McMenamin. "No parent wants to consider that their child could be a victim of child sexual abuse. However, the statistics clearly show that millions of Australian children will become victims largely because we are ignorant about the signs of abuse and children are silent.
"Through education about the nature and extent of the problem, how child sexual abuse manifests, how to identify the signs of abuse, how to respond as a parent, carer or simply a community member, we can focus on prevention, protection and recovery. We must give children a voice and expose this hideous and secret epidemic."
The SPEAK UP program, is being piloted through the support of the IOOF Foundation and HBOSA Australia, however Child Wise is lobbying for the Federal Government to acknowledge the program and provide ongoing support to sustain this critical initiative which will prevent millions of vulnerable children becoming victims and help many children who are currently being abused.
In February, Child Wise will be distributing hundreds of thousands of educational materials, such as posters and postcards with tips on the back, an easy to read booklet, a website with easily downloadable information and details on where people can receive support, counselling and how to report abuse. Child Wise will have highly specialised child abuse counsellors available to provide telephone and online advice and counselling to answer questions and concerns from the public. The materials will be found in libraries, community centres and schools.
"We see so many cases coming through our doors that are just heartbreaking. They could have been easily avoided if the child and adults involved knew what were the signs, what to do and where to find help. SPEAK UP is an opportunity to finally make this unpalatable subject more acceptable to talk about which will help many currently abused children in Australia be taken out of harms way," says Ms. McMenamin.
Would you know what to do if a child confided in you? Find out more by visiting www.childwise.net
Registration is now open for FREE information sessions to learn what child abuse is and how to keep children safe from harm.
These sessions are being held nationally in 2008 and will inform about:
- Child abuse - what it is and what it can look like.
- How to recognise the signs of child abuse and child sexual abuse.
- Child sexual abusers and how they can target children and form special relationships with them, their parents and the community.
- How to report child abuse and respond to concerns.
- Talking to children about issues of safety and how to empower children to speak up about child abuse.
- Choosing child safe organisations and activities for children.
* Australian Institute of Criminology 2004
** Australian Childhood Foundation Report 2006
*** The Abused Children's Trust 2006
**** Savi Report 2004
***** Dr K Gelb, Victoria Sentencing Commission
For media enquiries, case studies or for an interview with Bernadette McMenamin, please contact Sharon Zeev Poole on 0401 811 930 or e-mail sharon@agent99pr.com