Childhood is probably the best moment in most people’s lives. In fact, with the stress and pressure of the world gradually increasing, many times we ourselves wish we could be kids again or perhaps wish that we stayed as a kid instead of growing up. But growing up is an inevitable, continual process. What we all fail to consider is that, despite childhood being a phase in life where one is young, carefree and jolly, it is also the stage in life when one is most vulnerable.

Childhood is an age where children are not able to look after or defend themselves. But the question remains: ‘Is there a means to safeguard the children?’ With child abuse perpetrators roams around in the world, how can we protect these children? In fact, what are all the social dangers that children face and what can we do to safeguard them?

Child Protection

Child Protection refers to the protection of children against social evils such as abuse, violence, exploitation, trafficking, and neglect. A child protection system, according to UNICEF, consists of the laws, services, regulations and policies aimed at supporting prevention and response to the various protection-related risks that these children are vulnerable to. The protection-related risks that children are vulnerable to include:

● Child labor
● Endangerment and infanticide
● Child abuse
● Parental responsibility
● Child maltreatment
● Sexual abuse/exploitation
● Neglect or abuse
● Child trafficking
● Children with disabilities
● Children of migrants
● Orphans
● Children in police custody
● Street children
● Homeless children
● Children in poverty
● Missing children (e.g. runaways, abducted children)
● Children of divorced parents
● Children belonging to minority ethnic groups
● Female genital mutilation
● Child marriage
● Bullying and cyber bullying

How can one equip/re-equip themselves to promote child protection?

A child protection training course can help one to learn all that they need to know about child protection. But learning is a continuous process. Within the span of a few years, what was once learnt eventually becomes outdated. Today the child protection risks have become more organized and sophisticated, making it difficult to protect children.In such a case, there is an impending need to update oneself about new trends and changes regarding child protection. This re-training is what is referred to as a refresher course.

A child protection refresher course enables one to be in tune with current trends, changes and advancements regarding:
● Child Safety
● Mandatory Reporting
● Legislation
● Disclosures

What’s more? The child protection refresher course helps agents of child protection to retain their credibility. Child abuse has grown rapidly and crimes against children have nowadays adopted various different forms. The refresher course allows one to get a better understanding and awareness regarding the newer forms of child protection risks.

How can one apply for a Child Protection Refresher Course?

Check out Catch Training’s Child Protection refresher course on our website and get yourself enrolled! It is a 2 hour long course and is available in locations like Blacktown, Campbelltown, Castle Hill, St Marys and Auburn.