A HOODED man offering treats as he peers through the dark-tinted window of a conspicuous van.
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A sick-minded stranger lurking behind a school gate, or in the bushes near the park.
The word paedophile conjures many images, but the problem with society’s morphed perception of the typical child sex offender - is that we have got it wrong.
That’s the view of Carol Ronken, the senior criminologist for Bravehearts.
“People need to know the facts about child sexual assault and the continued focus on stranger danger does not help,” Ms Ronken said.
In most cases, offenders are the people meant to serve as the strong pillars of a child’s fragile, formative years.
Parents, uncles, nephews and neighbours. These should be the poster-figures for child sexual assault.
The truth may be confronting, but Ms Ronken maintained statistics show 90 per cent of cases involve someone known, loved or trusted by the child.
Bravehearts, as one of Australia’s leading anti-child abuse organisations is behind a new campaign to raise awareness of the alarming numbers.
1in5, is the name of their campaign which says one in five children will be sexually harmed before their eighteenth birthday.
The aim is to halve that figure by 2020, through a very public mission to raise awareness and funds.
For a local mother, greater awareness about the nature of child sexual abuse and its perpetrators could have prevented years of trauma.
Innocent and unaware - like most girls at the age of seven - she had her trust violated in the most despicable way.
Her parents weren’t to suspect anything untoward about the friendly neighbour and their daughter’s visits to the workshop next door.
No-one could fathom the little girl was harbouring a secret so dark.
“I just didn’t know it was wrong,” she said. “I had no idea what was happening, because I was being told that there was nothing wrong with it.
“He was a friend, a trusted neighbour, and I was manipulated.”
Years of sexual abuse, has not made this woman a victim.
Her resilience and inner-strength, has made her a survivor.
She exudes positivity and is driven by a passion to be a vocal advocate for child safety. While working to protect Australia’s children has become an integral part of her life as a Bravehearts volunteer. Education and awareness, she said, are the most important tools when it comes to tackling the problem.
“Parents need to be taught how to read the signs, and children need to know there are good secrets and bad secrets.”
The alarming truth about child sexual abuse should not send parents into a frantic state of paranoia and over-protective second glances at loved ones.
Instead, Ms Ronken said, the focus should be on subtle teachings that help children identify appropriate or inappropriate behaviour.
“We need to educate adults to respond appropriately to concerns about sexual harm, its not about creating an environment of hyper-awareness and over-reporting, but about educating them about; what to do if you have a concern, and what might actually be a red flag.” she said.
Basic rules of personal safety to decrease vulnerability are essential,” she said.
These age-appropriate lessons, do not even need to mention sexual harm.
“It is about building confidence, teaching kids what to do if they do not feel safe, and letting them know they will be believed and supported.”
Hastings Mid North Coast Bravehearts will be raising awareness and funds for child safety at a special breakfast at Panthers Port Macquarie on Friday August 30.
Speakers will include the founder and executive director of Bravehearts, Hetty Johnston and Kylie Biltris owner of Childish Photography.
The group encourages businesses to get involved with tables of 10 priced at $300 or individual tickets at $30 each.
Tickets are available from Panthers and St George Bank.
For more information contact Louise on 6581 0518 or 0414 485 502 or email her at louiseatyourinspiration@yahoo.com.au.