27/10/2021

The Department for Child Protection welcomes the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse (2021-2030), launched by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The 10-year strategy, which is supported by a $307.5 million investment from the Commonwealth Government, is a whole-of-nation framework to establish a co-ordinated and consistent approach to better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse.

Key aims of the National Strategy include supporting and empowering victims and survivors, preventing offending from occurring, including online, and improved community education and awareness.

Minister for Child Protection Rachel Sanderson said the Department for Child Protection worked closely with the Federal Government to design this national strategy and will now ensure it is delivered.

“Ultimately, we want to continue to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable children, young people and their families, and prevent child abuse before it starts,” said Minister Sanderson.

“Delivering new measures that protect and support our most vulnerable South Australians remains a priority.

“As a key partner to the new National Strategy, we will be able to leverage the expertise of our South Australian and interstate colleagues to deliver better trauma-informed services that will help keep all children safe and all victim-survivors supported across key areas including health, education, human services and child protection.

“Our efforts are firmly focused on intervening earlier and more intensively because we know there is a growing number of families right across the state with complex needs.

“The National Strategy builds on the state’s strongest ever plan to support our most vulnerable children and families, specifically targeting the reduction of child abuse and neglect through a range of new measures and actions and a record $52 million funding injection.”

For more information about the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Abuse (2021-2030), visit childsafety.pmc.gov.au