Child Safety the focus of Tasmania roadshow
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) – together with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Tasmania Police – is today launching an educational tour to increase awareness of child safety and missing persons ahead of Day for Daniel in October.
The Tour de Tassie roadshow will visit more than 20 schools and reach thousands of schoolchildren, their parents, carers and teachers over the next two weeks. It aims to educate students about being safe in their communities and encourages adults to have open conversations with children about personal safety.
As well as school presentations, there will be three ‘ThinkUKnow’ super sessions held in Hobart, Devonport and Launceston. ‘ThinkUKnow’ is a free, evidence-based program that provides cyber safety education in Australia delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Datacom and Microsoft. Presentations cover online grooming, sexting, privacy, inappropriate online behaviours, identity theft and fraud and general online safety.
The super sessions aim to educate parents, carers and teachers on what young people see, say and do online, and how to overcome challenges.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Operations Leanne Close said crime prevention was key. The tour harnesses the unique partnerships between law enforcement, industry and non-government organisations.
“Everyone has a role to play in improving child safety and preventing harm in their communities and this is particularly important in the lead up to National Child Protection Week on Sunday,” Deputy Commissioner Close said.
“We are urging parents, carers and teachers to register to go along to the ‘ThinkUKnow’ super sessions to get up-to-date on their children and teenager’s online activity.”
Commonwealth Bank State Manager for Tasmania Marco Artini said, “With a large branch network across Tasmania, and over 30 Commonwealth Bank employees from the region trained by the AFP to deliver ThinkUKnow online safety sessions, we are proud to be supporting parents and families in our local community.”
Bruce Morcombe said The Daniel Morcombe Foundation has been working with the AFP for over a decade.
“In recent years we have shared tours to various mainland regions around Australia promoting child safety,” said Mr Morcombe.
“We are really excited about the Tour de Tassie, as on a personal level, Tasmania is my home away from home. Denise and I have owned property here since 2006.”
Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said, “Technology has never before been as accessible to our children as it is today and I encourage everyone in our community to play their part in keeping children safe from online harm.”
"Technology can be a wonderful thing but with all its benefits there can be a darker unsafe side for children and it is our job as parents, carers, and law enforcers to make sure they are properly prepared for taking part in the online world.”
"Tasmania Police wholeheartedly supports the ‘Tour de Tassie’ educational initiative and welcome our partner agencies to Tasmania for the official launch today," said Commissioner Hine.
Day for Daniel is the largest child safety awareness day of its type in Australia. More than 2000 schools have already registered to take part in the national day of action. For information on events and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, visitdanielmorcombe.com.au.
For information on the ThinkUKnow cyber safety program, visit www.thinkuknow.org.au.
For information about missing persons in Australia, visit www.missingpersons.gov.au.
Media enquiries
AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333.
CommBank Media: (02) 9118 6919
Daniel Morcombe Foundation: 0420 300 737
Tasmania Police Media: (03) 6173 2424
