Due to the extraordinary human and social cost of child sexual abuse in Australia, Child Wise launched the "Wise Up to Child Sexual Abuse" campaign nationally on June 16^th.

"Wise Up" is an education and advocacy campaign that aims to equip Australians with tools to help prevent abuse from occurring. "Wise Up" provides families and carers with information on how to identify signs and indicators of abuse, how to talk to children if they disclose abuse, as well as preventative initiatives such as; safe online practices for children and families, and how to recognise the strategies of offenders.

Importantly "Wise Up" appeals to children and their families to report cases of child sexual abuse. The campaign incorporates our National Child Abuse Prevention Help Line. This is a free support service staffed by compassionate and professional counsellors who will assist with any enquiry or report relating to child sexual abuse. Please don't hesitate to call us on 1800 99 10 99 no matter how small you feel your concerns may be. We are here to listen and to help.

Child Wise has created the "Wise Up" booklet; a guide for parents and carers. To download or order free hard copies of the booklet go to our website at: www.childwise.net

Protective Behaviours for Children and Young People

Protective Behaviours was first introduced into Victoria in 1985 by the Victorian Police as an educational strategy to prevent child abuse. The Protective Behaviours Program is based on two fundamental themes:

1. We all have the right to feel safe at all times

2. Nothing is so awful that we can't talk about it with someone

On May 1^st 2009 Child Wise became the official auspice for Protective Behaviours.

Protective Behaviours aims to:

• Teach children and young people personal safety strategies which prevent and reduce the risks of child abuse and violence;
• Encourage children to identify safe people or ‘networks' of people in their community they can turn to when they feel unsafe;
• Teach parents and caregivers to talk directly to their children about personal safety and healthy sexual development; and
• Create networks of parents and caregivers who will transfer skills and knowledge to others in their immediate community

Talking to children about safety, their bodies and how to protect themselves from an early age is an important part of keeping children safe.

Helping children identify key people in their lives that they can talk to ensures there is a network of trusted people that the child feels they can ask for help.

This program will build the capacity of children, parents, and communities to prevent child abuse through education and awareness raising. We will provide guidance on how to identify signs of abuse; how to promote safe practices for children and families, how to recognise the methods of offenders, and how to respond to concerns of child abuse.

The program will improve outcomes for children already experiencing disadvantage and identify those at risk of abuse. The education and empowerment of parents and caregivers to identify and prevent any form of child abuse is a significant and highly positive outcome for any community.

Our skilled and experienced staff will encourage knowledge transfer and ongoing program sustainability through a range of dynamic and innovative training and education programs across Australia.

For training bookings or general enquires call: (03) 9645 8911 or email: office@childwise.net