Children learning about Child Protection Week
THERE were 12 winners from kindergarten to year six announced in a local National Child Protection Week colouring competition.
These were Fleur Fletcher, Helga De Guzman, Annika Murray, Paige Dashwood, Charlie Riley, Arianna Sarantzouklis, Jaymarra Anderson, Aaliyah Peckham, Flynn Warman, Maddie Ah-see, Fletcher Hartley, and Evie Galvin.
This year’s theme focussed on children in the community needing a fair go.
The local competition for Dubbo primary schools was initiated by local detective Michele D’arcy.
Detective D’arcy and fellow detectives went to schools to provide further information about Child Protection Week and give out awards to students.
“It’s great interaction with the kids which insisted us in raising awareness and getting the detectives to know the kids and them to know us,” Western Zone Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad detective inspector Matthew Hemsworth told Dubbo Photo News.
“We continually look for reasons to go into schools by participating in a number of programs – we like to work with schools a lot.
“It’s important for the engagement of the kids so when they do need to reach out for help, we’re not so foreign. We want them to see our detectives and be familiar with who they are. We aim to break down barriers or any reluctance they might have to talk to us.”
The NSW Police detectives work in the Joint Child Protection Response Program which is a tri-agency program delivered by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the NSW Police Force, and NSW Health.
National Child Protection Week is a campaign held annually to raise awareness of child abuse, neglect, and prevention strategies. It was recognised this year from Sunday to Saturday, September 4 – 10.