We very recently wrote to the Federal Attorney General, Ms Michelle Rowlands, requesting support for the recognition of the UN World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence - 18 November. An opportunity to shine a light on prevention, protection and healing from child sexual abuse. Including what our petition is asking the Victorian government to pilot, the full implementation of Recommendation 9.1 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Which would significantly improve opportunities for Victorian survivors to heal form child sexual abuse.
We received a very swift response from the Director, National Office for Child Safety, on behalf of the Federal Attorney General.
"Thank you for your emails to the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, regarding the UN World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. The Attorney-General has requested that the National Office for Child Safety within the Attorney-General’s Department respond to you on her behalf.
It’s great to hear that you’ve confirmed Bolte Bridge in the Docklands to be illuminated to mark 18 November. We agree that visuals are an important element in helping to raise awareness and support the public to engage with the topic of child sexual abuse.
In regard to similar possibilities within the ACT, this is managed by the National Capital Authority (NCA). We’ve attempted to reach out to the NCA on your behalf,
but unfortunately have not yet received a response. Although we haven’t been able to
secure a direct contact for you, we suggest it would be worthwhile for you to contact the NCA to discuss what is possible in Canberra. We’ve collated the following list of
additional landmarks for your consideration:
• Old Parliament House
• John Gorton Building
• Treasury Building
• National Museum of Australia
• Canberra Times fountain
• Light rail stops
• Telstra Tower
• Royal Australian Mint
• City Renewal Authority."
We will follow up on the suggestions provided, in addition to requesting that the Federal Attorney General mention the UN Day of recognition, and its importance, in Federal Parliament too.
We are also grateful that the Lived Experience Director of the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, and the CEO of Sexual Assault Services Victoria, are also seeking to use this UN National Day. To highlight the prevention, protection and healing from, child sexual abuse.
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We also recently received another negative response regarding our requests made over three and a half years now, to meet with the Victorian Minister of Health, regarding what our petition seeks.
A meeting that would include survivors and the CEO of Sexual Assault Services Victoria, who has long supported the implementation of Recommendation 9.1 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
We are very grateful for the ongoing support of Sexual Assault Services Victoria, whose Advocacy Manager is going to support our ongoing efforts to meet with the Victorian Minister for Health, Ms Mary-Anne Thomas.
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Successful advocacy always requires a diversity of voices and organisations being heard by governments. We are very grateful to the numerous voices and organisations supporting what our petition seeks. Including the thousands of people who have signed, shared and promoted our petition, thank you.