Barnardos workers reveal the personal impact of child abuse

Every 13 minutes in Australia a child suffers abuse or neglect.

But the truth is, most Australian’s DON’T know the heartbreaking facts about child abuse and neglect in this country.

A new Barnardos awareness online campaign launched today which highlights how these hard facts give Barnardos workers the determination, courage and ambition for change.

The new spots feature Barnardos social workers Anna from Sydney Metro and Mark from Western NSW talking about how they will never rest; never stop helping children, young people and their families.

These real workers from the frontlines of one of Australia’s largest social problems share their personal insights into the issue and how they deal with facing child abuse and neglect day in and day out.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed or hopeless at the scale of the problem, we hear how the work they do has made them the people they are and instilled in them the hope to believe they can bring about change.

In her video Anna says “I had a really good start in life. I do what I do because that’s what every child deserves. Emotionally, I carry the children and families that I work with, with me every day. We should be devastated that that has happened to any child.”

Mark goes on to explain “I do this work because there’s something inside that drives me to work alongside children, young people and their families – and to see them heal from the effects of trauma of abuse in their life. I’m surprised that we don’t have more of an understanding of what trauma and disadvantage is like in Australia. If you go into your community with different eyes and allow your eyes to be open, you’ll see the trauma, you’ll see the disadvantage and you’ll see where perhaps where you can make a difference.”

Barnardos believes every child needs a champion… like Anna and Mark. Someone to stand up for them, speak up for them and do what’s right.

And like Anna and Mark, Barnardos are fearlessly optimistic and determined to do whatever it takes to address child abuse and neglect by supporting families to raise their children safely, giving them the chance to thrive for a brighter future.

Watch Anna’s videos here
15 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi8_USYr_HQ
Full video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4LeSe2xaC8

Watch Mark’s videos here
15 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI3JrY8E6d8
Full video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi4ZbOb2Dkk

View the campaign:
www.barnardos.org.au/anna
www.barnardos.org.au/mark