What is Child Protection?

Child Protection Explained.

Every child should feel safe – at home, at school and in their community. But for too many children around the world, safety is not guaranteed. Violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation continue to affect children’s wellbeing, rights and futures.

Child Protection Week 2026 is a reminder that creating safer childhoods starts with all of us. Every conversation about child safety matters, but meaningful change happens when those conversations lead to action.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about Child Protection Week, including the dates, this year’s theme, activities, resources and how ChildFund Australia works with communities and partners across the Asia-Pacific to strengthen child protection.

What is Child Protection Week?

Child Protection Week is a national campaign that raises awareness about children's safety, wellbeing and protection.

Led by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), the campaign has been running in Australia for more than 30 years. It brings together schools, early learning centres, workplaces, community organisations and families to encourage conversations about child safety and preventing harm.

The campaign encourages all Australians to work together to create safe, supportive environments where children can grow, learn and reach their full potential. It reinforces an important message: protecting children is a shared responsibility.

When is Child Protection Week 2026?

Child Protection Week 2026 runs from 6-12 September 2026.

Held during the first full week of September each year, the campaign encourages Australians to learn more about child safety, recognise risks and take practical action to support children and families.

What is the Child Protection Week 2026 theme?

The official Child Protection Week 2026 theme is: "Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action."

The theme highlights that conversations about child safety are an important first step, but meaningful change happens when those conversations lead to action.

This means listening to children, responding to concerns, strengthening families and communities and creating environments where children feel safe, supported and heard.

Why is Child Protection Week important?

Every child should have the opportunity to grow up safe, supported and free from harm. Yet many children continue to experience violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Child Protection Week highlights the importance of prevention and early intervention. By recognising risks, listening to children and supporting families, communities can help create environments where children feel safe and valued.

Protecting children is everyone's responsibility. Parents, carers, teachers, neighbours, sporting clubs, workplaces, governments and community organisations all have a role to play in recognising concerns, supporting children and creating safer communities.

Child safety also extends to the digital world children grow up in. While technology creates opportunities to learn, connect and explore, it can also expose children to new risks. Through ChildFund Australia's Swipe Safe program, children and young people learn practical digital safety skills, understand online risks and know where to seek support if something doesn't feel right.

How does ChildFund Australia support child protection?

Protecting children isn't a once-a-year focus – it's central to ChildFund Australia's work.

We work with local organisations, governments, communities and partners across the Asia-Pacific and beyond to strengthen child protection systems and help children access support when they need it. Through locally led programs and long-term partnerships, we help create safer environments where children are protected, supported and able to reach their full potential.

Our work includes training teachers, social workers and community leaders, strengthening referral pathways, supporting child protection services and helping children understand how to stay safe online and offline.

In Papua New Guinea, ChildFund supports initiatives including the 1-Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain, a confidential helpline providing counselling, information and referrals for women and children experiencing violence or seeking support. Through our partnerships and alliance networks, we also contribute to child protection initiatives in countries including Kenya and Uganda.

Over the past year, ChildFund supported 21 child protection projects across the Asia-Pacific, reaching 54,499 children and 79,624 people. Together with local partners, we trained more than 2,260 frontline workers and helped more than 32,000 people access child protection services.

How Child Rights Clubs are helping protect children in Kenya

In Kenya, ChildFund-supported Child Rights Clubs are helping children understand their rights, recognise risks and know where to seek support.

Through these clubs, children learn about child protection, including how to recognise harm, report concerns and seek help. More than 8,000 children have participated in Child Rights Clubs, while over 300 students have been trained as Child Rights Champions. Teachers and school leaders have also been supported to recognise and respond to child protection concerns. For 14-year-old Nia*, pictured below, this support is giving her the knowledge and confidence to understand her rights and help create a safer environment for herself and others.

At 12 years old, Nia was at risk of being forced into marriage after her family faced financial hardship. Having learned about her rights through her school’s Child Rights Club, she approached her principal for help. Her school provided a safe place to stay while trusted adults worked with her family to find a solution. Today, Nia remains in school and is continuing her education. She says: “By now I would have had two or three children. I have peace here.”

Child Protection Week activities

Child Protection Week is an opportunity for schools, families and communities to turn conversations about child safety into action.

Child Protection Week activities for schools

Schools can take part through classroom discussions, wellbeing activities, assemblies, storytelling, art projects and lessons about child safety. Creative activities such as drawing, painting, collage and poster-making can help children explore what safety, trust and belonging mean to them.

Child Protection Week activities for families

Families can support child safety by having regular conversations about feelings, online behaviour and trusted adults children can talk to if something doesn't feel right.

How young people can get involved during Child Protection Week

Young people are not just navigating the digital world – they are helping make it safer. By supporting their peers, sharing what they learn and speaking up about online risks, young people are leading conversations about digital safety in their communities.

Through ChildFund Australia’s Swipe Safe initiative, young people are gaining the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves online, support others and create safer digital spaces for everyone.

Child Protection Week resources

Resources can help schools, families and organisations start meaningful conversations about child safety.

Resources may include:

• classroom lesson plans
• child safety conversation guides
• printable posters and activity sheets
• online safety resources
• creative activity ideas

These resources help turn awareness into action by supporting practical conversations about child safety at home, in schools and across communities.

How to get involved

Whether you're a parent, teacher, employer, volunteer or community member, small actions can make a big difference. Child Protection Week is an opportunity to learn more, start conversations and help build safer environments for children.

You can get involved by:

1. sharing child safety resources
2. starting conversations about children's safety and wellbeing
3. attending local Child Protection Week events
4. supporting child protection programs
5. fundraising in your school or community
6. speaking up and advocating for safer environments for children

Help protect children every day

Child Protection Week may last one week, but protecting children is something we all have a role in every day. Together, we can help strengthen child protection systems, train frontline workers, equip children with the knowledge and community networks to stay safe and make sure families can access the support they need.

*Name has been changed to protect identity.