54 reasons

Welcoming the renewed commitment from National Cabinet today on gender-based violence, with new investment to make sure that the system is capable of better supporting children and young people as victim-survivors in their own right. With around 40% of ACMS respondents reporting exposure to DFV during childhood, 54 reasons firmly believes that that DFV is one of the most pressing issues affecting children and their rights in Australia. Advocating for children, and preventing and responding to family violence, is a central part of what we do here. Our rights-respecting services across Australia include family violence crisis accommodation for women and children; prevention and early intervention supports for adolescents and adults; specialist counselling including under the national 1800 RESPECT service, and capability support and training for providers. And we're partnering with leading researchers like Kate Fitz-Gibbon to further elevate the voices of children and young people in this area. Stay tuned for more on this, soon! https://lnkd.in/gsUiNwMP https://www.acms.au/

When it comes to children's rights, we take a 'child i view' 👀 At 54 reasons, our teams use a #childrights practice framework called 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 - which sets out what we do, why we do it, and how we do it. 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 guides us in delivering skilled, evidence-informed, ethical and relationship-based practice with children, young people, families and communities to keep them safer, stronger, connected, and supported to live their best possible lives. 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 explores:  🪢the skills and approaches our people need to practice every day to create an environment that upholds children’s rights 🧠 the levels of knowledge and the mindset needed to deliver safe and effective practice 💭 the attitudes and behaviours that guide our practice and decision making 💖the values that are part of everything we do, inspiring and driving our commitment to children, young people, families and communities. Read more and download the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘪 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 summary here: https://lnkd.in/egXpznx8

For National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day in August, the Play2Learn Burdekin team held a beautiful day of fun, games and connection to community. The team worked closely with the Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation – which represents the Bindal, Juru and Ngaro Traditional Owner groups – to coordinate the event, and ensure the day was respectful, culturally safe and engaging for children and families from the community. 54 reasons Family Support Specialist Rebecca Aldridge, one of the event organisers, has a deep love for the Burdekin community, "It's about making these children feel … that their community stands with them,” she said of the day. “People can come down and talk about their family traditions. We've had traditional dances, and elders from Bamaga teaching coconut shaving…It's one of those things that people come down to and feel a part of." Thank you to the 100+ people who came along to celebrate culture, community, and the strength and resilience of First Nations children and young people. We can’t wait for next year! Read more about the day here: https://lnkd.in/gKN25ipq Pictures from the day: Rebecca Aldridge and Pastor Les Henaway cooking up a lovely spread, and a child enjoying one of the fun crafting tables. 📸: Miah Lampard, Burdekin Life; and Rebecca Aldridge #NATSICD24 #StronginCulture #StrongerTogether

This #IndigenousLiteracyDay, make sure you check out Library For All's incredible #OurYarning library -- a free collection of more than 200 books and educational resources created by and for First Nations people. Our Yarning's mission is to address the disproportionate impact of illiteracy and low education attainment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people -- but also to make sure First Nations children can see themselves, their families and their cultures represented and celebrated in the stories they read. Our Yarning includes stories about family, nature, health and self-care, connection to Country, family connections, ceremonies and community life. Books can be purchased in print, with proceeds from book sales reinvested in the Our Yarning and Library For All programs; or you can access the library for free via the Our Yarning app (available on iOS and Android) – because every child deserves the chance to read, learn and grow without barriers! Check it out here: ouryarning.org

It’s National Child Protection Week, and this year’s theme is #EveryConversationMatters – exploring the power of conversations to keep children and young people safe. Every child has a right to be listened to, and to have their opinions taken seriously (hello, Article 12 of the #UNCRC). When we have meaningful conversations with children about their wellbeing and safety, we’re laying the groundwork for supportive environments in which children can thrive. And then it’s up to adults to have conversations with each other about how to build on that groundwork and make the world a safer place for kids. This week, make sure your conversations matter. Talk to the children and young people in your life about their rights to safety and respect. Talk to their caregivers, educators and support workers. Talk to each other. Together, let’s make sure that every child, in every community, can get a fair go. #NationalChildProtectionWeek #NCPW #ChildProtection #ChildRights

Happy #WearItPurple day - and we've gone purple for the occasion! At 54 reasons, our mission is for all children and young people in Australia to have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity, creativity, and curiosity. We're proud to stand with and champion the rights of LGBTIQA+ young people every day. Today's theme is "Your Passion, Your Pride" -- Tor Adams, from Wear it Purple's Youth Action Council, says of the theme: “For young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the theme 'Your Passion, Your Pride' is an empowering and affirming rally cry to express their true selves to the world and chase their dreams. It’s time for rainbow youth to see and feel a positive surge in successful, happy role models from the LGBTQIA+ community who are living proof it’s possible.” Everyone has a part to play in creating supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. Together, we can make sure every LGBTIQA+ child and young person (and grown up!) can realise their rights and thrive!

Heading to Third Sector Au's #NationalYouthJusticeForum in Brisbane next week? Make sure to catch 54 reasons' CEO Matt Gardiner and QLD Director Mena Waller presenting their keynote at 11:40am on Tuesday 3 Sept. Matt and Mena will explore how a rights respecting approach can transform systems and outcome; the importance of centering children, young people and their rights and voices; and share insights into how 54 reasons upholds rights in our practice, and the difference it makes. Find out more about the Forum here: https://youthjustice.co

54 reasons is alarmed by the new Northern Territory government's plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 10. NT Director, Travis Borsi, says: “This troubling move, which comes so soon after the age of criminal responsibility was raised to 12, risks undermining the rights of children across the Territory and, ultimately, making the community less safe.   “Along with the proposal to re-introduce the use of spit hoods on children, this plan will only guarantee that more kids cycle through a youth justice system that is built to fail them and inevitably lead to further trauma in the community. “It’s important to remember that we’re talking about children who are not even old enough to attend high school. There is no evidence that locking up pre-teens will improve crime statistics, in the Territory or elsewhere.    “Medical, legal and health experts - including most recently the National Children’s Commissioner in her new landmark report - are clear that raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14 and adequately funding early intervention and prevention services is the most effective way to reduce offending.     “We strongly urge the Chief Minister to reconsider her intention to lower the age of criminal responsibility, and instead address the root causes of offending through culturally responsive and trauma informed services that are best placed to keep the community safe.” Read more at the National Indigenous Times: https://lnkd.in/gdrUJNJx #RaiseTheAge #ChildRights #YouthJustice

42 often represents the meaning of life... and for the team at 54 reasons, that's really true. Article 42 of the United Nations Convention on The Rights of the Child is one of the main reasons we exist: everyone should know about children's rights! 📢 Why? Because children's rights are human rights. Because every child and young person deserves every opportunity to live their best possible life. Because knowing children's rights is the first step to making them real. Want to know the 54 #childrights? Download our plain language #UNCRC poster to display in your service, office... or even your home! 

54 reasons welcomes the Australian Human Rights Commission's report from National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds: ‘Help way earlier! How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing'.  The treatment of children and young people in the justice system, some as young as 10 years old, is one of the most urgent rights issues in Australia today.  The children most at risk of having, or who are already in, contact with the justice system are usually dealing with multiple complex issues in their lives – and multiple systems that have already failed to uphold their most basic rights. When they enter the justice system, the likelihood of further rights breaches is unacceptably high, especially for young First Nations people and young people with disabilities.  Informed by the voices, views and ideas of more than 150 children and young people, 'Help way earlier!' is a must-read report. It not only shines a light on the ongoing breaches of #childrights in the #justice system, it also explores the diverse and complex forces that impact children’s life trajectories. By unpacking those real root causes affecting child wellbeing and safety, 'Help way earlier!' offers comprehensive, clear, and child-led recommendations for change at many levels. Read it here, and share it widely: https://lnkd.in/gjdjyz2s #ChildRightsAreHumanRights #YouthJustice #ChildDevelopment