Roper Gulf Regional Council is urging remote communities to help promote child safety awareness this White Balloon Day, as the organisation moves to strengthen its own youth safety policies during National Child Protection Week (2-7 September).
White Balloon Day is an initiative of the Bravehearts organisation, and is currently Australia’s only national awareness and fundraising campaign dedicated to preventing child sexual assault.
Roper Gulf Mayor, Judy MacFarlane, says Council strongly supports the child safety campaign and in doing so has updated its own child protection measures in the lead-up to this year’s event.
“Child protection is the responsibility of everyone in the community – family, friends, teachers, police – we all have a role to play,” she said.
“The situation facing many remote Northern Territory children is alarming and as a Council we want to raise awareness of the issues and support initiatives which protect and support vulnerable children.
“We have recently adopted a Mandatory Reporting policy to strengthen our own responsibilities to children within our local communities.
“This compliments our existing Ochre Card policy, which ensures all Council staff have appropriate clearances to work with children before they enter any local community.”
Council will host a number of events to mark White Balloon Day, including a community barbeque in Jilkminggan and a morning tea fundraiser at the regional headquarters in Katherine. The Manyallaluk crèche will also be decorated with white balloons for a cupcake morning tea.
Mayor MacFarlane says the events are a great opportunity for community members to get involved with the campaign.
“As we mark White Balloon Day I ask everyone within the Roper Gulf region to reflect on the child safety message and specifically what we could all be doing to better protect our younger generations,” she said.
Children requiring assistance can contact the toll free Support Line on 1800 272 831 Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm AEST or visit the website www.bravehearts.org.au.