Protecting kids everyone's business

At the Village Barrow on Wednesday to raise awareness during Child Protection Week were (l-r) Lismore Family Support Network family workers Jude Williams and Marie Hainaut with Lismore Women’s Resource Centre project officer, Danielle Notara.

The Lismore Domestic Violence Liaison Committee wants to let people know that protecting children is everyone’s business.

On Wednesday they set up a barrow in Carrington Street to mark Child Protection Week and help spread the message about combating domestic violence.

Helen Lieschke, client services co-ordinator at the Lismore Family Support Network, said there were a number of things people could do.

“One thing is to take time to get to know families in your street, so that families can offer one another support with the stresses of parenting,” Helen said. “Some of the things that can contribute to parents feeling stressed and taking it out on their children include isolation and not having other people who they can talk to. Sometimes parents sharing information with one another about how they’re going, how their kids are going, and knowing that you’re not alone can reduce some of the stress that parents might feel.

“Sometimes parents may have unrealistic expectations around their child’s development so being able to talk to other parents puts that in a more realistic perspective.”

Helen said the sharing of information among neighbours or people that parents might come into contact with increases knowledge about services and parenting skills.

“With the theme being ‘child protection being everyone’s business’, when parents are struggling and find themselves taking things out on children, having friendly support and being able to share information is a really important aspect of the community taking responsibility,” she said. “We want to get that message out there to people – rather than judge people on the way they’re parenting, take the opportunity to listen and offer general support. Of course, if there are real concerns that a child is being abused or neglected then the community has the responsibility to inform a protection authority.

“It is sometimes tough bringing up kids and not everyone has natural support there but there is a lot of support out there in the community, as well as services.”

Lizette Twisleton, Lismore Domestic Violence Liaison Committee member, said it was when parents weren’t coping that children often suffered.

“To make families safer we must work with families to educate on ways to manage stress, break patterns of abusive behaviour and bring children’s safety into the forefront of their thinking and behaving,” Lizette said.

People can help protect children by:

• Taking the time to get to know families in your street, so that you recognise if they are under pressure and need a hand;

• Learning the signs of child abuse and neglect so that you can take action if you suspect something is amiss (www.community.nsw.gov.au);

• Teaching children how to keep themselves safe and listening when a child tries to tell you something (sometimes children who have experienced abuse may try to tell an adult several times before someone hears them);

• Seeking help if you are struggling and find yourself taking your frustrations out on your children.

Help is available by contacting the Lismore Family Support Network on 6621 2489, Lismore Women’s Resource Centre on 6622 5551, Rekindling the Spirit on 6622 5534, Men and Family Centre on 6622 6116, Family Relationships Centre on 6622 7003, Kids Help Line on 1800 551 800, Domestic Violence Hotline on 1800 656 463, or the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.