PROTECTIVE
BEHAVIOUR
To feel totally safe at all times is the right of all children irrespective of the child's background, race or religion.

Providing all children with a safe, secure and caring environment is the direct responsibility of parents, the school system and the community as a whole.
Being safe is not just about teaching your kids self defense; it is more about teaching them through knowledge, examples and preventative measures.
The best way of keeping children safe, is to implement and maintain a ‘Protective Behaviour’ which gives all children and the community safety measures and procedures which may result in saving their lives or the lives of other children.

Why is Protective Behaviour Important?

To provide protection for our children because we can't supervise or be with them them 24 hours a day.
Over 85% of children are abused by someone who is known to and trusted by the child.
To create an environment where both children and adults can freely discuss unpleasant or problem situations.
To give people the right to feel safe and act in a manner to keep themselves safe.

What is Protective Behaviour?



The 'Protective Behaviour'program was originally implemented by the NSW Police Service as an
anti-victimisation program. Protective Behaviours is basically a preventative and adaptable living skills program designed to enable people of any age to develop workable strategies to better help them deal with problems or difficult situations.


During the last 10 years, there has been a noticeable increase in awareness of all areas of children’s safety, in particular a child's personal safety. It is a statistical fact that most children are more likely to be harmed by someone familiar to them rather than by someone they do not know. Our children face a multitude of personal safety issues. Children can encounter a wide range of situations which can put them at risk resulting in definite short-term or long-term harm, this harm could be both emotional and/or physical , and will quite often violate the basic rights of the child.

Many people who work in our community with families and children have found the Protective Behaviours training a valuable resource when looking at safety measures concerning children, and in particular when dealing with the topic of child abuse.
As a living skills program Protective Behaviours is also invaluable in other settings, such as working with early childhood and people who find themselves in situations of domestic violence, or in coping with the elderly and adolescents.

A wide range of programs have been developed by both community groups and the government to help raise community awareness of the need to protect and nurture our children. If a child is placed in a dangerous, abusive or unsafe situation it is definitely not the fault of the child and it is most likely the adult or older person who is doing the wrong thing.

Children should be educated and helped to develop personal safety skills from an approved well-structured and well-presented personal safety program. Both children and adults can practice Protective Behaviours to help reduce violence in the community and to help keep themselves safe. Protective Behaviour can provide the basis for helping all children to be safe at school, at home or when travelling away from home. It also helps teach everyone to stay safe from the many risks we face in our lives on a daily basis.

HUG DON'T HIT
About to hit your child ?

Deliberately causing harm or injury to a child is a crime!

Try some of these simple alternatives . . .
Remember - you are an adult . . . . . try taking a few deep breaths.
Close your eyes and then try to imagine what your child is about to hear from you.
Try to understand what is causing your child's misbehaviour.
Why are you angry . . . is it your child or you . . . are you targeting the child to release your anger?
Try phoning a relation or a close friend you can confide in . . . they may have a helpful suggestion.
If someone trustworthy is available to supervise your child, try going for a short walk and get some fresh air.
Turn on the radio or listen to some soothing music.
Take a hot shower or relaxing bath.
   
How to discipline your child without using violence . . .
Remove one of the child's privileges for a short time.
Ignore the child's attention getting or negative behaviour.
Always criticise the behaviour - never criticise the child.
Work out a solution with your child - try to communicate with your child.
Listen carefully to what the child is saying and watch carefully what it is your child is doing.
Discuss with your child the actions you will take and the rewards or consequences of good or bad behaviour.
Tell your child clearly what your expect of them and why.
Offer your child choices.
If you have made an error in judgment or made a mistake . . . always be sure to say SORRY to the child.
   
Remember . . .
Always be consistent in your actions and discipline.
The punishment should not be greater than the misbehaviour of the child, and should take place sooner than later.
Always remember they are children, and children take time to learn.
Always finish the day or night on good terms . . . try and settle your differences before bed.

HELPING CHILDREN FEEL LOVED

LET YOUR CHILDREN KNOW THEY ARE SPECIAL
Tell them you love them . . . show them affection.
Spend quality time with them on an individual basis.
Always show respect for their feelings and thoughts.
Always choose your words very carefully - children can have long memories.
Help your children to understand and cope with failure.
Always protect your child from danger or violence.
Always give praise when called for - congratulate your child on something well done.
Recognise the individual needs of your child.

Prevention of child abuse and neglect is the responsibility of both parents,teachers and the community.
Early detection and notification is essential in preventing any serious harm or neglect occurring to a child.
It is also important in providing speedy assistance and support to those parents or carers in need.
Further information and assistance can be obtained by phoning your local police or department of Community Services in your state.