All week we have been featuring articles to celebrate children and ensure they have a voice that is heard by adults.

Much of the information in these articles has been sourced from The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)

“Child abuse and neglect is preventable. If we all work together as a community we can create an Australia where all children can grow up safe and well.

What role can you play in supporting children and their families? Richard Cooke, CEO, NAPCAN

 

What is NAPCAN?

Australia’s first secular for purpose organisation to focus entirely on the prevention of child abuse and neglect before it starts.

The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) was founded by Rosemary Sinclair in 1987 because she saw that the abuse and neglect of children was a taboo topic in Australian society in the 1980s.

She was determined to change this and create safer communities for children. She set about to achieve this vision with the assistance of a passionate team of volunteers and a range of influential and committed partners.

Since those days NAPCAN has remained dedicated to bringing the eradication of child abuse and neglect to the forefront of Australian society. A national organisation with 25 full and part-time staff delivering services across Australia, working with thousands of volunteers trained to deliver our programs.

The passionate and capable staff work under the guidance of a highly experienced Board of Directors and we work with all levels of government, businesses, community services and organisations, families and individuals for the betterment of children and young people in our shared community.

NAPCAN has both deductible gift recipient (DGR) and public benevolent institution (PBI) status with the Australian Tax Office.

 

 

Strategy

NAPCAN’s strategy is to support and encourage changes in individual and community behaviour to stop child abuse and neglect before it starts by:

 

Promoting quality child abuse prevention research

Promoting quality research so the causes and impact of child abuse and neglect can be better understood and effective ways to prevent it can be developed and measured.

 

Advocating for child-safe policies and strategies

Advocating for changes in policies and strategies that place the wellbeing and safety of children and young people first.

 

Coordinating National Child Protection Week and promoting the Play Your Part strategy

Coordinating National Child Protection Week and promoting the Play Your Part strategy to invite all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. “Protecting children is everyone’s business.”

 

Supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people

Providing resources and training to support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people ranging from role-based factsheets and brochures to child-centred training, programs and initiatives such as the Aboriginal Girls Circle.

 

Demonstrating good practice

Developing and promoting community-led prevention programs and initiatives, that are evidenced-based and effective in reducing the risks of abuse and neglect for children and young people, through our own programs such as Love Bites, All Children Being Safe, #Friends and promoting others through the Play Your Part Awards.  NAPCAN acknowledges the devastating impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities.

 

Training Opportunities

NAPCAN offers training and programs Australia wide which focus on offering best practice in the prevention of child abuse. View our training calendar to see view and book programs in your area.