'Every conversation matters' to keep children safe

The PCYC now displays the bright colours of Gunnedah children’s artwork, but the project serves a greater purpose than just showing off the creative skills of local youth.

Last week was National Child Protection Week, which aims to educate Australians on how to keep children and young people safe.

This year’s theme was ‘every conversation matters’ which Tamworth Family Support (TFSS) family advocacy and support worker Lenelle Ritter says, “emphasises the power of conversations to keep children and young people safe and well”.

TFSS invited Gunnedah Public School students to create art within speech bubbles inspired by their aspirations, who they trust, and what makes them smile.

Identifying those things help children recognise who are the safe people in their lives and what they consider to be important.

“Having small conversations with our children and young people can support the foundation for the bigger conversations to take place,” Lenelle said.

She reiterated this is why adults need to make children feel heard from a young age, so they feel safe when difficult topics arise.

“Always being available to your children and knowing that they can speak to you about anything and that response they get is safe, nurturing and supportive [is important],” she said.

This can mean taking the time to listen, especially when the child approaches the adult for conversation.

Lenelle said there is the option to do research and engage the child later for further discussion if the adult is unequipped in the moment to converse on the topic.

She recognised services can assist parents with resources to guide difficult conversations. This may include TFSS, Gunnedah Family Support and the National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect’s (NACAN) website.

“Just so that the child feels listened to and they can go to the people they feel safe with and have those conversations,” Lenelle said.

Reports submitted regarding child safety.

• 2065 Risk of Significant Harm reports were submitted across the Tamworth local government area in the 2022 – 2023 financial year.

• 2518 concern reports were submitted across the Tamworth local government area in the 2022 – 2023 financial year.