The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) has welcomed the release today of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse (2021-2030).
'The Australian Government is to be commended for ensuring the safety of children and young people is a national priority,' said AHISA CEO, Ms Beth Blackwood. 'The National Strategy, which is to be administered by the National Office for Child Safety, is a welcome complement to the National Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, released earlier this month by the Mental Health Commission, and to existing national child safety initiatives such as the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission.'
Ms Blackwood said the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was an unforgettable lesson on the vulnerability of children and the need for vigilance in their protection.
'The harrowing testimonies of those who courageously came forward to give evidence to the Royal Commission fuelled a relentless resolve on the part of organisations with a duty of care for children to make sure the best possible safeguarding practices are in place,' said Ms Blackwood. 'The federal and state and territory governments have supported this resolve by commissioning much-needed research to develop our understanding of child abuse, backed up with valuable resources and online training opportunities for staff.'
Ms Blackwood said that everyone in the community has a role to play in helping to keep children safe.
'Importantly, governments have stepped up to enable not just organisations but families and children themselves to take an active part in child protection,' said Ms Blackwood. 'There can be no excuse to avoid the responsibility we have as a community and as a nation to make sure our children and young people are safe.'
