Noosa MP Sandy Bolton backs survivor Tracy Phillips’ calls to reform child sexual abuse policies and strategies

Survivor Tracy Phillips’ calls for an urgent response to child abuse amid shocking reports of a rise in family offences during the pandemic has garnered political backing.

Sunshine Coast woman Tracy Phillips is speaking out about the abuse she suffered as a child in the hopes of raising awareness and reform on the issue of sexual assault in children.

Noosa Independent MP Sandy Bolton has backed a child abuse campaign shedding light on what remains to be a taboo issue.

Child sexual abuse survivor Tracy Phillips has launched the What About Us campaign this month.

Ms Phillips, who was sexually abused by her father when she was a child, has drawn on her experiences to launch the campaign to reform child sexual abuse policies in Australia.

Ms Bolton said she would be putting Ms Phillips’ ideas to Children and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard.

“It’s about the voices, I think sometimes what happens we’ve got people with real lived experience and their input is invaluable,” she said.

“They have been in that position, often they know the best way, what they needed at the time in their system.

“So it’s getting that input into when government’s are doing their strategies … I know those voices are heard however sometimes it doesn’t translate in the way in which those people putting the voices forward intend it to.

Child abuse survivor Tracy Phillips has launched a campaign to reform child sexual abuse policies in Australia.

“It’s invaluable to keep going back to what it is they are actually saying, what are the tangible things that often they’re bringing forward.”

Ms Phillips had compiled a list of suggestions, including placing disclosure boxes in schools for children to address any concerns or reports of abuse.

“They’re easy to implement, and they give a voice to children who could be fearful of reaching out or they don’t know how to reach out,” Ms Bolton said.

Ms Bolton said she would be waiting for the Minister’s response before discussing the next steps of the campaign.

Yourtown, which operates Kids Helpline, has called the rise in reports of family assaults “a pandemic within a pandemic”.

For help, please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.