Published Sunday, 19 November, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Kid’s rights books launched on World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse
Books explaining children’s rights and how to stand up for themselves will be distributed to all Queensland children in care, Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle says.
Ms Boyle launched the new books at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
“These new books aim to give young people a clear understanding of their rights, why they have come into care and who they can talk to if they need help or more information,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Kid’s Rights book is aimed at four to 12-year-olds, is set out like a children’s story book and comes with colouring pencils.
“The My Journey in Care book is for young people aged 10-18 and provides more detailed information in a notebook style with cartoons and photos, including Indigenous artwork by a young person in care.”
The books outline key rights for young people in care, including the right to a safe and stable home and to be consulted about decisions that affect their lives, such as whether or not they see their family or what help they may need to achieve their goals at school.
Ms Boyle also acknowledged 20 children and young people who are in care and helped to create the books by participating in focus groups and reviewing the books. They include 14 young people from the South Burnett area and others from the Brisbane suburbs of Stones Corner, Carindale, Carole Park, Cleveland, Beenleigh, Ipswich, Wynnum and Annerley.
“Young people who have been in care and know what it’s like have had a big say in what was included in the books and how they were presented so we can be sure they are hitting the mark,” Ms Boyle said.
A former young person in care, KC Weir, said she thought the books would be a valuable resource for children and young people.
“Children and young people’s time in care can be very confusing and these books provide answers to questions that young people may be too scared to ask.
“I believe the books will empower young people to voice their opinions because they will now have an understanding about what’s happening around them,” she said.
Legal Aid Queensland Youth Advocate Catherine Moynihan said the books would help ensure young people in care were more informed and involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
“The booklets take complex information and present it in an appealing, reader-friendly way. We hope young people will use the information to improve their time in care," Ms Moynihan said.
The books will be distributed to the more than 6000 young people currently in care in Queensland, as well as those entering care, and will supplement the information and advice already provided to children and young people by the Department of Child Safety.
Children come into care because they have been or are at risk of being harmed or neglected and their parents are unable or unwilling to keep them safe.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
Ms Boyle launched the new books at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
“These new books aim to give young people a clear understanding of their rights, why they have come into care and who they can talk to if they need help or more information,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Kid’s Rights book is aimed at four to 12-year-olds, is set out like a children’s story book and comes with colouring pencils.
“The My Journey in Care book is for young people aged 10-18 and provides more detailed information in a notebook style with cartoons and photos, including Indigenous artwork by a young person in care.”
The books outline key rights for young people in care, including the right to a safe and stable home and to be consulted about decisions that affect their lives, such as whether or not they see their family or what help they may need to achieve their goals at school.
Ms Boyle also acknowledged 20 children and young people who are in care and helped to create the books by participating in focus groups and reviewing the books. They include 14 young people from the South Burnett area and others from the Brisbane suburbs of Stones Corner, Carindale, Carole Park, Cleveland, Beenleigh, Ipswich, Wynnum and Annerley.
“Young people who have been in care and know what it’s like have had a big say in what was included in the books and how they were presented so we can be sure they are hitting the mark,” Ms Boyle said.
A former young person in care, KC Weir, said she thought the books would be a valuable resource for children and young people.
“Children and young people’s time in care can be very confusing and these books provide answers to questions that young people may be too scared to ask.
“I believe the books will empower young people to voice their opinions because they will now have an understanding about what’s happening around them,” she said.
Legal Aid Queensland Youth Advocate Catherine Moynihan said the books would help ensure young people in care were more informed and involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
“The booklets take complex information and present it in an appealing, reader-friendly way. We hope young people will use the information to improve their time in care," Ms Moynihan said.
The books will be distributed to the more than 6000 young people currently in care in Queensland, as well as those entering care, and will supplement the information and advice already provided to children and young people by the Department of Child Safety.
Children come into care because they have been or are at risk of being harmed or neglected and their parents are unable or unwilling to keep them safe.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477