Parents and child abuse survivors, including Grace Tame, join the Australian Federal Police’s campaign in ending child sexual abuse

The families of some of Australia’s most horrific child abuse and murder cases want to end the silence and encourage children to speak out.

Exclusive: The families of some of Australia’s most horrific child abuse and murder cases will today launch a campaign to end the silence and taboo around abuse and encourage children to speak out.

The extraordinary national campaign Stop the Stigma comes with new analysis showing a disturbing surge in kids reporting abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic and a staggering 130 per cent rise in the number of people being charged with abuse in the past 12 months.

As part of the campaign, the well known faces of some of the child victims of abuse and murder will appear in uber booking apps, major sporting fixtures including this months NRL finals and even a QR code for “community detectives” to provide tip offs.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe, the parents of Daniel who was killed by a sexual predator in 2003, as well as Sonya Ryan, the mother of murdered schoolgirl Carly, will be helping raise awareness around the alarming issue.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe have joined the Stop the Stigma campaign. Picture: Supplied

“For too long, predators have tried to silence the voices of their victims,” the advocates, who have been affected first-hand by child sexual abuse, wrote in an open letter to Australian children.

“And for too long too many in the community have been turning a blind eye to this crime and accepting the silence to allow them to avoid the uncomfortable subject of child sexual abuse.

“You are not at fault, no matter what they say … Above all we hear you, we believe you, we are acting.”

The Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation currently receives around 60 reports of child exploitation every day and has recorded more than 22,000 reports in the 2020-21 financial year.

Child sex abuse survivor and Australian of the Year Grace Tame, who has also added her voice to the campaign, said Australia can’t “fix a problem” that won’t be discussed.

“Discussion of child sexual abuse can be uncomfortable, but so too talking about suicide and domestic violence,” she said.

Child sex abuse survivor and Australian of the Year Grace Tame. Picture: Supplied

“Now we talk about preventing suicide and domestic violence regularly, and it has greatly benefited society because it has driven new laws and more funding to support those who need it.

“So let us redirect this discomfort to where it belongs, at the feet of perpetrators of these crimes. Perpetrators thrive on silence. When we share, we heal. Survivors be proud.”

Kids Helpline, who are also part of the initiative, recorded a 40 per cent surge in reports of child sexual abuse in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

In the 2020-21 financial year, the AFP and state and territory police Joint Anti Child Exploitation Teams arrested 235 alleged offenders and charged them with more than 2772 charges.

But despite the pandemic, charges against offenders have increased by 130 per cent, up from 1214 in 2019-20, while arrests increased by 46 per cent, up from 161 in the same period.

(Pictured front row) Australian of the Year Grace Tame, Bruce and Denise Morcombe. (Back row from left) Dr Deidre Thomson, child abuse survivor Jason Murphy and Sonya Ryan. Picture: supplied

“We have to remember that some victims are still not survivors because they are still in reach of their perpetrators,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Lesa Gale said.

“If we can have these conversations, victims are more likely to seek help and perpetrators will find it harder and harder to hide. This is vital for preventing this crime from happening to our children.”

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the children’s safety both online and offline is a “real priority” for the government.

“We encourage children to speak up if they’re offered a ride with a stranger, and this needs to be the same,” Mr Andrews said.

“Keeping children safe from sexual exploitation shouldn’t be embarrassing or shameful and we all have a part to play in this important conversation.

“Child abuse thrives in the shadows, speaking up is difficult but it educates the unaware, protects the innocent, gives a voice to victims, and brings offenders to justice.”

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHILDREN OF AUSTRALIA

Each one of us writing this joint letter has been personally affected by the devastation of child sexual abuse.

The stories and circumstances of how we were affected, are all different. We may have had our hearts broken through a physical attack; through our children being attacked; or working daily with the stories and pain of victims – our stories are different but when we talk together about the pain and trauma, we speak and understand the same language.

It’s heartbreaking to us that far too many other Australians know this language but don’t feel able to share their voices.

Our heart goes out to you but we are writing to you to help you find your strength to speak out. Our message today is that now is your time to be heard.

Your voice is important in this conversation.

Nothing has more power to put perpetrators in jail than the voice of their victims and this is what causes them true fear.

For too long they have relied on this silence to get away with their crimes. And for too long too many in the community have been turning a blind eye to this crime and accepting the silence to allow them to avoid the uncomfortable subject of child sexual abuse.

This generation has more power than any that has gone before to fight back against predators. And every one of you is already armed with the only weapon you will need: your voice.

For too long, predators have tried to silence the voices of their victims.

But you will take away their power.

You are not at fault, no matter what they say.

You are strong. Your voice will be heard. You will be believed. You can do this because you are braver than you think.

All of you have strength. Sometimes it is hard to find or draw upon when things feel like they are spinning out of control but your voice and your power will always be there. You choose the circumstances of telling your story. And when you do, we hope it lifts the burden of keeping secrets that hurt you.

Not everyone will want to voice their traumatic experiences. But even whispering to someone trusted can set you on the path to recovery.

Above all we hear you, we believe you, we are acting.

Accce.gov.au/stopthestigma

The Australian Federal Police, Australian of the Year Grace Tame, Bruce and Denise Morcombe, Sonya Ryan, the AFP, Jason Murphy, Bravehearts, Kids Helpline and Act for Kids have formed a leading collective to advocate for child abuse survivors. Today they are launching Stop the Stigma campaign, a groundbreaking campaign encouraging a national conversation about child sexual abuse.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 18000 551 800

Originally published as Parents and child abuse survivors, including Grace Tame, join the Australian Federal Police’s campaign in ending child sexual abuse