Child Wise

Speak Up is a child protection campaign designed to empower people to speak up for children and put a stop to child sexual abuse.

Often children do not speak up about their persecution in fear of public ridicule, rejection by their loved ones or physical retribution from their abusers. The majority of children remain silent victims.

The Speak Up materials are free and educated people to identify the indicators of child abuse and encourages them to report their concerns.

The statistics indicate alarming rates of child sexual abuse.

 

1 in 4 girls (children) and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused in Australia (Australian Institute of Criminology 2004 (pdf)).

A sample of 720 adults aged over 18 interviewed in 2005 showed that:

• Child abuse is perceived as less concerning than rising cost of petrol, problems with public transport and roads
• 31% of respondents stated they would not believe children's stories about being abused (this means that 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
• 1 in 5 respondents lacked confidence/knowledge on what to do if they suspected child abuse

(Australian Childhood Foundation Report 2006)

Only 3% of children will ever tell of their abuse (Savi Report 2004)

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

The cost of 30,009 cases of child sexual abuse is:

• Medical costs at $1 billion
• Foster care and out of home care at $613 million
• Social and psychological costs at $1.46 billion
• Justice system costs at $611 million.

(The Abused Children’s Trust 2006)

Only 5% of child sex offenders will have been caught and convicted for their crimes

(Dr K Gelb, Victoria Sentencing Commission)