Friday 25 October marked 20 years of Day for Daniel, Australia’s largest education and awareness day. The Queensland Police Service are encouraging all community members to participate in child safety education and awareness.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is encouraging families and communities to join the conversation about child safety, using this day as an opportunity to make sure children feel informed, prepared, and empowered to stay safe.
Named in memory of Daniel Morcombe, who tragically lost his life in 2003, Day for Daniel takes place on the last Friday of October each year.
It’s a powerful reminder that the best way to protect children is to start open conversations about their personal safety—and keep those conversations going year-round.
Sometimes, it’s hard to know how to start these important conversations, but small discussions can build trust and give children the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
Here are some ways to approach personal safety with your child:
– Open communication: Parents, carers, and educators are encouraged to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety and ensure they are creating a safe environment for them to express any feelings of concern. Building trust by reassuring them they can come to you with anything on their mind, no matter how big or small is paramount.
– Teach safety rules: Discuss important safety rules, such as never speaking to strangers and knowing how to ask for help.
– Technological safety: teach children and young adults about safe use of the internet and protecting personal details and talk to them about how to navigate the digital world safely. Use parental controls where necessary.
– Emergency contacts: ensure your child is aware of how to contact and who to contact for help. Keep a clear list of emergency numbers including triple zero or the number of someone from their safety network in a clear and accessible place.
– Create safety networks: educate your child on how to build a safety network; a group of trusted people who they can turn to for help when in need. Everyone’s safety network can look different and can include people such as parents/ guardians, relatives, teachers or trusted friends. It is important to build this with your child and ensure they feel safe and secure with these individuals also.
– Trust your instincts: Encourage them to trust their instincts, if something doesn’t feel right or safe, to immediately find someone they trust for help.
– It’s okay to say no: discuss the right to say no with your child, such as when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. No means no.
By fostering spaces of open communication through education and awareness, we can create a safer community.
While Day for Daniel shines a spotlight on child safety, it’s important to make these discussions a regular part of family life. The more we talk about safety, the more confident and secure children will feel when navigating the world around them.
There are numerous ways you can show your support for Day for Daniel, including wearing red, joining a local event or donating.
For more information or for education resources, visit The Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
