IT SHOULDN'T HURT TO BE A CHILD

The need to protect children is an issue for all communities. Children across the world are subjected to exploitation, abuse, sexual, physical and psychological violation. Many are forced into commercial and sexual exploitation. 

There are many factors that increase children’s vulnerability to exploitation and abuse, it could be that:

• their families do not have adequate support from relatives or the community
• their parents are experiencing a lot of stress such as unemployment, illness, isolation or loneliness
• their parents may not have experienced good parenting themselves OR
• their parents may be alcohol, drug dependent or mentally ill 

Child abuse and neglect can happen to any child or young person in any family and can have lasting and damaging effects. Child exploitation and abuse traumatizes children and adversely affects their development and well-being. Children who are exploited and abused experience a greater likelihood of long-term consequences, including mental health issues, reduced educational outcomes, drug and alcohol abuse and increased likelihood of coming into contact with the law. At its core, child exploitation and abuse undermines a child’s right to grow up safely. One of the most important concerns of any community is the health, safety and well being of its children and young people.

Whilst parents and carers are responsible for the safety and welfare of children in their care, protecting children and young people from abuse and neglect is the responsibility of the whole community.