Creating safe communities for children

[Cindy-Lee Harper]

One of our key messages is creating safe communities for children. We have a Safe T Net project which includes a website development with children where they can consider what being unsafe feels like, who do I talk to and who do I call?

In a country so focussed on material goods we have high levels of social isolation which is not safe for anyone, particularly children. The website is designed to be talking point for educators and parents with children and between children themselves.

I have had a number of emails from children asking questions and for advice. The QR code on the poster takes the viewer straight to the site. Children often have access to smart phones here without necessary guidance or supervision to protect them.

We need to change this and create safe communities for all children.

One way we are doing this is by getting businesses involved in the project. Businesses can display the poster or distribute the key tags. We are working alongside other local projects that encourage men to become champions of women's and children's safety. A lot of these champions are business owners. There are so many places this project could go, it will be interesting to see what develops.

[Cindy-Lee Harper]

Absolutely. The site was designed through a project with children, asking that very thing. That's how the questions came to be. They wanted other children to know what being unsafe felt like so they could recognise it in their own bodies. We are still working with this site and project so all suggestions are welcome. We are about to take it out into the community to promote and give opportunities to speak to community groups. On the site you will find a story book that we did with children last year about safety. Actually there is nothing safe happening in the story, but that was their point. As a storyteller, I can work with children for them to get to tell their stories and create a book. We are working to include Refugee and Migrant children so they can tell their stories too.