Attorney-General announces first national campaign to prevent child sexual abuse

The campaign has been granted a substantial budget of $22.4m

Attorney-General announces first national campaign to prevent child sexual abuse

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced the launch of Australia’s first national campaign aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.

In a historic move, the government has unveiled its pioneering national initiative, the “One Talk at a Time” campaign, designed to combat child sexual abuse. It is expected to target adults actively involved in the lives of children and young people, urging them to engage in continuous, proactive, and preventative conversations about child sexual abuse.

The initiative is rooted in extensive research and testing. The government said that “One Talk at a Time” demonstrates the power that breaking the culture of silence and shame can have in preventing child sexual abuse.

The campaign has been given a substantial budget of $22.4m. It will run across local media and online channels until mid-next year. The campaign is a crucial measure under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030. Its implementation fulfils a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The government said it is committed to preventing and responding to child sexual abuse in all settings and supporting victims and survivors. The government emphasises that every child and young person has the right to be safe from child sexual abuse, and it is a collective responsibility to protect them.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said, “I am particularly proud this campaign has received support from victims and survivors, their advocates and child safety experts, many of whom worked with the Australian Government to inform the development of the campaign.”

The campaign honours the resilience of victims and survivors who tirelessly advocate for change, often at a significant personal cost.

To access campaign materials and additional resources, interested individuals can visit the Child Safety website. The platform offers comprehensive information to support adults in learning more about child sexual abuse and initiating vital conversations on this critical topic.