Speak up, Be Strong, Be Heard winners during Child Protection Week!
A/Senior Sergeant Steve Tillett, accepting the award at the Queensland Child Protection Week Awards last week
The Speak Up, Be Strong, Be Heard campaign won the Youth Participation category for involvement of young people in the planning of a local activity to promote child protection at the Queensland Child Protection Week Awards at a ceremony held at Parliament House in Brisbane last week.
Program Co-ordinator Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Tillett, Detective Acting Sergeant Todd Dodson of the Cairns CPIU, and current Cross Cultural Liaison Officer, Acting Inspector Gary Hunter attended the ceremony which was hosted by Channel 7’s Kay McGrath.
The award was presented by well-known Victoria Cross recipient (and Channel 7 CEO) Mr Ben Roberts-Smith
Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Tillett said this is an impressive result, not only for the QPS Speak Up, Be Strong, Be Heard Program but more importantly, for the at-risk children right throughout our District.
“The award is recognition for the work they’ve done working with youth and communities to raise awareness of child protection issues,” Senior Sergeant Tillett said.
“Whilst the program raises awareness, we also encourgage increased reporting. We do this in a variety of ways including community presentations and community engagement activities.
“This initiative was started here in the far north in response to preventing youth sexual violence and abuse in relation to a report that was released last year.
“From some of the issues raised in that report we’ve developed this project.
“This is not just a problem in the far north, it can be implemented in other police districts in Queensland and even nationally if not internationally.
“We plan on continuing to roll this project out throughout the district and are looking at ways to future proof the project to ensure the community take ownership.
“We’ve had great support from government and non-government agencies which is very promising.
“We are working with our police colleagues in Mt Isa District and others around the state in an effort to roll the project out in those areas as well.”
A number of schools from Gordonvale, Yarrabah, Cairns, Mossman as well as remote communities throughout the Far North such as Aurukun, Hopevale, Cooktown, Laura, Coen and Wujal Wujal have already been introduced to the Speak Up, Be Strong, Be Heard program.
As part of Queensland Child Protection Week, police are promoting the theme of “Protecting children is everybody’s business” and reinforce the key messages of Child Protection Week and the Speak Up Be Strong Be Heard project.
A/SSgt Tillett and PCSC Thomas with the award
For additional information:
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Cairns Crime Alert
