From awareness to action: Parents call for greater access to resources helping prevent child sexual abuse
e-kidna
A child protection alliance is calling for child sexual abuse prevention information to be distributed proactively to all parents and caregivers to help keep kids safe.
It comes after a national survey of more than 1000 Australian parents and caregivers* found 8 in 10 (80%) wanted this information, but most (60.5%) did not know where to find it.
The e-kidna alliance – made up of Act for Kids, Bravehearts and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation – set out to understand how easily parents and caregivers could access information to help prevent child sexual abuse, with support from the Queensland Family and Child Commission.
The work resulted in e-kidna’s Reaching Every Parent report, which is based on the findings of the national survey and launched on the 40th anniversary of Queensland Child Protection Week.
The report highlighted that while most parents recognised the importance of body safety information, many reported only moderate confidence in knowing what to teach, how to have age-appropriate conversations and how to recognise warning signs that someone may have an inappropriate relationship with a child.
Notably, parents and caregivers who participated in the survey identified the government as having the biggest responsibility for ensuring families could access education and resources to help prevent child sexual abuse.
Quotes attributable to Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines: “Recent safety issues in childcare centres and residential care facilities have increased public awareness and discussion about child sexual abuse. Communities are aware of child sexual abuse, the conversations are happening and now we need action to help prevent it. It is time to shift conversation to action, because parents and carers are telling us they want access to child sexual abuse prevention resources that are credible, evidence-informed and age-appropriate.”
Quotes attributable to Bravehearts CEO Alison Geale: "Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility, and the message from parents is clear: they want access to appropriate and credible prevention resources. Child sexual abuse requires a whole of community approach; parents want to know how to play their important role in prevention. When families are empowered with knowledge and take action, children are better protected."
Quotes attributable to Bruce Morcombe OAM (Daniel Morcombe Foundation): “Through this survey, caregivers have made it clear they want practical, accessible resources to help keep children safe – particularly when it comes to recognising grooming behaviours and having confident, age-appropriate conversations about body safety. We need to listen to them and deliver this.”
Quotes attributable to Denise Morcombe OAM: “Protecting children is a collective responsibility, and ensuring parents and caregivers have access to practical child sexual abuse prevention resources is an important step towards creating safer environments where every child can grow up feeling safe, empowered and protected.”
The e-kidna alliance is calling for federal and state governments to invest in universal, accessible and evidence-informed child sexual abuse prevention by embedding protective behaviours education across health and early childhood services.
Read the full Reaching Every Parent report here.
For more information and resources, visit:
e-kidna | Standing together to advocate for and protect kids
-ENDS-
*Pureprofile survey of 1012 Australian parents and primary caregivers of children aged 10 years and under conducted in July 2026
Note: Child sexual abuse prevention resources include information and practical guidance to recognise people, environments, behaviours and situations that may pose a risk to children. By increasing awareness and supporting safer practices, it helps caregivers create safer environments and stronger expectations around child safety, particularly in the prevention of child sexual abuse.
Contact details:
Melanie Whiting
M: 0427 794 666
E: [email protected]