Stop Child Abuse

Celebrities speak out

Robyn Moore – Actor and voice of “Blinky Bill”

Robyn Moore

I am proud to be an ambassador of the Australian Childhood Foundation because I believe our whole country is hurting profoundly from the results of child abuse and neglect and I fear for the next generation if we continue to tolerate the intolerable. Imagine how many people can be reached through the wonderful work of the Australian Childhood Foundation? One significant positive role model can change the course of a child's life if we are willing to participate.

I often work with children at risk and am passionate about getting them to know that they are loveable, extraordinary and have the power to be resilient in the face of horrendous circumstances so they can build a BIG and deeply satisfying life.

As a society we must not be afraid to stand up for this issue. We cannot let bad things continue to happen to children. Little people need big people to have the courage to take action...so our children become our top priority.

Why have you agreed to get involved in raising awareness about the problem of child abuse?

As a national speaker, I am committed to creating a society where families thrive and children are cherished and nurtured. On Australia day every year, I get to be an Australia day Ambassador for the Australia Day Council and I am deeply saddened to know that whilst we're celebrating a country where we have the freedom to be as magnificent as we dare to be, 800 homeless children will be sleeping on the streets in Melbourne that night, youth suicide is increasing every year, children as young as 5 are suffering from clinical depression and our teenagers are dropping more ecstasy pills than any other teenagers in the world. Much of this behaviour is given by a history of sexual, physical or emotional abuse. Our whole country is already hurting profoundly from the results of child abuse and neglect. I fear for the next generation if we continue to tolerate the intolerable.

In the last 15 months I have spoken to about 50,000 people in conferences around the country and have raised the awareness of parents' behaviour towards their own children...imagine how many more people can be reached through the wonderful work of the Australian Childhood Foundation.

What do you see as some of the challenges that face us as a community in dealing with the problem of child abuse?

The biggest problem is that we don't see this as a problem. Along with the child-abuse crisis, I feel we are also experiencing a leadership crisis where prominent people in powerful positions have not put children first in our society. The adage "Bad things happen when good people do nothing!" is well and truly in operation.

What would you say to other adults about playing their part to ensure that all children in our community are safe from abuse?

Everything begins at home...get that right and then contribute to others. Do an audit on your own family...and be role models for your children and the friends they bring home. One significant positive role model can change the course of a child's life. I was the victim of physical abuse for many years and treasure the contact I had with some special families during that time. I saw how it was possible to discipline with love and not fear.

We can only create resilient children by bringing them up to know that they are loved , treasured and our first priority. I speak to well, intelligent, successful people at conferences and these are some of their comments.

  • "I yell and scream at my children all the time. Why? Because I can!"
  • "I dragged my child down the street because I was busy and she wanted to go to the toilet. She said, "Mummy, you're making my heart break!"
  • A school Counsellor said, "When my children ask what's for tea...I always moan...What-ever you're cooking!"
  • I asked a group of early-childhood educators to think of their last words to their own children that day. A woman was shocked to remember she's said to her 5 year old "Just you wait till I get home tonight!"

You might think this is low level verbal abuse but add other factors to that existing behaviour (eg a marriage breakdown, unemployment, depression, alcohol and substance abuse) and humans can become the people they never thought they could be.

When you first held your child in your arms what sort of parent were you going to be? Are you being that now?

Do not allow bad things to continue to happen to children by doing NOTHING. If you suspect that a child is in danger...speak up. Little people need big people to have the courage to take action.

Other celebrities who have offered their support: