Fed: New campaign to prevent child abuse

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Fed: New campaign to prevent child abuse

By Louise Robson

MELBOURNE, Aug 14 AAP - Most Australians think the poor condition of roads and footpathsis a more important concern than child abuse, according to a report released today tocoincide with a new campaign to protect children.

Research conducted for Australians Against Child Abuse showed the top five communityconcerns were unemployment, health, crime, education and drugs, with child abuse coming15th on the list.

It was also outranked by road and footpath maintenance.

However, once prompted, 81 per cent of respondents to the survey rated child abuseas the most significant concern.

Among other findings, nearly one in 10 people would not know where to turn if theyneeded help with parenting and more than a third believed they would be negatively judgedif they admitted having difficulties.

Launching the Every Child Is Important campaign before an audience of parents and primaryschool children at Melbourne's Luna Park, federal Children and Youth Affairs MinisterLarry Anthony said authorities in Australia received a notification of child abuse everyfive minutes.

"Most early childhood experts agree that the early childhood experience lays the foundationfor all those coping skills in life," Mr Anthony said.

"We know that if you are an abused child there's a consistency of much higher rateof suicide, depression, domestic violence, substance abuse and criminal activity."

"So if we can get those early years right, and early intervention is a part of thisprogram, then that child when it grows up has a much better chance of health and education,and having a full life in the community."

With an emphasis on valuing and caring for children, the Australians Against ChildAbuse campaign uses TV and radio advertisements with the theme song "Have I Told You LatelyThat I Love You".

It will also run in print and will be translated into Arabic, Mandarin and Cantoneseand feature on SBS radio.

Kits will be available through maternal and child health centres, kindergartens andother places frequented by families.

The campaign will also include seminars by parent educator Michael Gross.

AAP clr/jlw/las/bwl

KEYWORD: CHILD