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Church backs White Balloon Day for Child Protection Week

Published: September 03, 2010

The Church is backing this year's White Balloon Day campaign against child sexual assault by advocacy group Bravehearts.

The campaign, scheduled for Child Protection Week from September 5-12, will see more than 1300 parishes and nearly 1700 Catholic schools across the country displaying white balloons in a show of support for the protection of young people, reports AAP in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Bravehearts' founder Hetty Johnston said the group was proud to be working with the church.

"The Catholic Church's lead involvement in White Balloon Day marks publicly their active involvement in being part of changing the culture of silence around child sexual assault," she said in a statement.

"I am delighted to finally realise what has been a long term goal for the Bravehearts' organisation, and hope this signals a new way forward for all churches globally."

Sister Angela Ryan, of the Church's National Committee for Professional Standards, said churches and schools were committed to raising awareness of and fighting against child abuse.

FULL STORY

Church supports White Balloon Day (Sydney Morning Herald/AAP)

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White Balloon Day

 

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Recent Comments

  1. I am happy to see the church's involvement in white balloon day.
    I was beaten daily as a child by my catholic mother and molested as a child by my catholic father and cousin and babysitter.
    Many times during confession I wanted to confide in the priest hearing my confession which was done weekly when I attended school in Sydney.But I was too scared. I respected and loved the nuns and priests I came into contact with and was not abused by them.
    I know the priest cannot break the seal of confession but it would be good if there was a way children could be made feel comfortable to tell someone what is going on at home at times like these. I have found great comfort in returning to the Church after twenty eight years away.
    Can something be done for little ones like me?

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