MINISTER LAUNCHES CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
Published Monday, 08 September, 1997 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care
The Honourable Kev Lingard
The Minister was speaking at the Mater Hospital for the launch of Child Protection Week which this year has the theme, Putting Children First.'
Mr Lingard said child abuse could take many forms including physical and emotional and neglect.
"According to 1995-96 figures compiled by my Department, there were almost 10,000 notifications of child abuse or neglect in Queensland," he said.
"These notifications resulted in more than 15,000 cases being investigated by the Department, with neglect being one of the most common types of abuse that could be substantiated."
The Minister said his Department was constantly reviewing and upgrading its services to meet changing needs in the most effective way.
"Our emphasis is on protecting children by supporting and helping families experiencing problems, and helping to educate young children about personal safety.
"The Government is also looking at new child protection legislation tailor-made to meet the needs of children and families in the 90's and beyond," Mr Lingard said.
The proposed legislation continues the State Government's emphasis on early intervention and prevention.
While it strengthens the ability of my department to intervene when a child is at risk, it places emphasis on prevention by providing families with the necessary support.
"This Government believes that by working with families, children can be protected within the family while parents are being helped to develop their parenting skills.
"The recent emphasis on paedophilia and sexual abuse of children should not obscure the fact that they were often the victims of other types of abuse. National Child Protection Week recognises and helps to raise of awareness that child abuse can take many forms, but it also highlights the tremendous work that both the Government and Community groups are doing to address the issue," Mr Lingard said.