This is the 30th episode of Keeping Kids Safe - A Bright Futures podcast by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, featuring Bruce and Denise Morcombe.

Today we hear from a researcher who has single-handedly revolutionised worldwide thinking of the best approaches to keeping children safe from harm.

Professor Carlene Firmin from Durham University in the UK is known internationally for her work in what she has termed “contextual safeguarding”, which describes a vision for improving responses to young people at risk that goes beyond the current focus on their family homes. 

Her work has transformed the response of child welfare systems in the UK and beyond, and shown a need for a complete overhaul of child-protection systems around the world. 

Professor Firmin has researched young people’s experiences of community and group-based violence since 2008, finding that many public spaces are inherently unsafe for children, and that more comprehensive approaches are needed as a society to protect them.

She argues that exploitation, peer-abuse and street-based violence directly affecting young people shows a need to look beyond parents and families, if we want to protect children from the risks they face outside their front doors.

It's time for difficult conversations to shine light on this hidden topic. This podcast talks openly about child abuse, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviours.

Each episode of this series will feature practical insights on how to teach your child safety in the world today. 
 
REMINDER:

As Denise says in the podcast - Take care when listening. Please contact Lifeline if you need support after listening to this, on 13 1114 or you can call 1800 Respect.
 
GET IN TOUCH:
 
This podcast is produced by Nance Haxton with production assistance from Michael Adams. To get in touch with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation about any of the information shared in this podcast, go to https://danielmorcombe.com.au/bright-futures/ or phone 1300 326 435
 
CREDIT:

Host: Nance Haxton 
 
With thanks to Professor Carlene Firmin

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation - 1300 326 435 or https://danielmorcombe.com.au/bright-futures/