NAPCAN

On Wednesday NAPCAN’s NT team, Meron Looney and Denis Mitrov, met with the Mayor of Alice Springs Town Council, Asta Hill, to discuss how we can work together to strengthen prevention and child-safe practice across the region. We recognise the vital role that local governments play in creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for children and young people. Council facilities including libraries, parks, youth spaces, community centres and sporting facilities are everyday places where children and families connect, learn and feel part of their community. We look forward to continuing this conversation and exploring opportunities to collaborate in building safer, stronger and more connected communities for children, young people and families in Central Australia.

NAPCAN is proud to partner with The Hatchery (Hub) for the Safeguarding Children and Young People Conference, taking place on 24–25 March 2026 in Sydney and online. This timely national gathering arrives as systems across Australia continue to confront gaps in child safety, strengthen cultures and mindsets that prioritise children’s wellbeing, and elevate the voices of young people through meaningful, informed participation. Bringing together sector leaders, frontline practitioners and young advocates, the conference explores what meaningful progress looks like in practice. From improving screening and safer hiring to elevating youth voices, strengthening organisational cultures, and navigating unregulated environments, this program supports every attendee in strengthening their impact. This is a valuable chance to come together, listen, reflect and support the collective work of creating safer environments for all children and young people. Secure your place today: https://lnkd.in/gq9ZMEnu

NAPCAN welcomes the release of the NSW Man Box Survey by NSW Department of Communities and Justice and Jesuit Social Services - a landmark study shining a light on young men’s attitudes, wellbeing, and the powerful influence of gender norms. Drawing on insights from more than 1,400 teenage boys across NSW, the findings highlight the ongoing pressure many young men feel to conform to narrow ideas of masculinity, and how these outdated stereotypes can shape how boys express emotion, seek help, and navigate relationships. Alarmingly, the report finds a clear link between rigid ideals of masculinity and increased risks of violence, loneliness, and poor mental health among young men.  But the findings also offer hope. Most boys reject sexism and believe in gender equality, with many reporting a growing willingness to be vulnerable and to seek support from trusted adults and peers. By nurturing these emerging strengths and challenging the pressures that hold boys back, we can create environments that prevent harm and foster healthier, more connected lives for boys and those around them. Now more than ever, early conversations about healthy masculinity matter for prevention and lasting change. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gc9Qnd5i

NAPCAN was proud to support the Thrive National Youth Summit, organised by Third Sector Australia (3SA), held this week in Garramilla/Darwin on Larrakia Country. The Summit brought together young leaders, organisations and advocates committed to strengthening youth voice and meaningful participation across Australia. It was inspiring to see young people leading conversations on belonging, safety, prevention and systems reform. We were also pleased to see strong local leadership, with keynote speeches from NT Minister for People, Sport and Culture Jinson Anto Charls GAICD MLA and NT Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey MLA. A highlight for NAPCAN was seeing our Fair Youth Coverage Campaign gain visibility here in the NT, with CEO of Youth Action NSW, Lauren Stracey, sharing our Government House launch video during her presentation. We were proud to have NAPCAN engaged throughout the Summit, including our President Lesley Taylor and NT team members Meron Looney and Denis Mitrov

This week, NAPCAN was invited by Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation to deliver our Child Abuse and Neglect / Mandatory Reporting (CAN/MR) training to their dedicated staff. It was a privilege to share this important session on child safety, early support and community responsibility with an organisation that plays such a vital role on Larrakia Country. Thank you to everyone at Larrakia Nation for your commitment to creating safer environments for children and young people. You can find out more about, and register for our CAN/MR training via the link below: https://lnkd.in/eG8S_gGU

It was a big day at the Say No to DFV Rotary Parliament event this week, where NAPCAN CEO Leesa Waters, board president Lesley Taylor, Oliver White, Zahra Al Hilaly, and Alice Dolin joined community leaders and Rotarians from across Australia to stand together for the prevention of domestic and family violence. We were inspired by Assistant Minister for Social Services Ged Kearney, who delivered a powerful keynote highlighting the role that prevention and community leadership play in creating lasting change. It was also a pleasure to catch up with Senator Kerrynne Liddle, whose ongoing passion and advocacy for safe families always leaves an impression. A special thanks to David and Robyn Harmon for their continued leadership of the Say No to DFV initiative, and to all the Rotarians driving prevention on the ground every day across the country. Together, we’re building safer communities for every child and family.

Yesterday, the NAPCAN Youth Speak Out council officially launched the Fair Youth Coverage campaign at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency the Governor-General, Sam Mostyn. The event featured a thoughtful panel discussion exploring the challenges and opportunities in achieving fairer media representation for young people. The conversation brought together diverse voices, including moderator Heather McNab from the The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA); journalist Emma Macdonald OAM from HerCanberra; Annette Michaux from the FrameWorks Institute; and campaign contributors Lueth Akue from the Commission for Children and Young People (Victoria), and Keely-Che Cain. The launch reaffirmed a powerful message shared by young people across Australia: they want to be seen as individuals, not stereotypes, with representation that reflects respect, diversity, and positivity. The Fair Youth Coverage campaign will continue collaborating with journalists, universities, and young advocates to shift the narrative and spotlight real stories that matter. https://lnkd.in/gFCm4Vd5 https://lnkd.in/gR5YapJU Thank you to Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation for making this youth-led campaign possible.

NAPCAN’s badge-making activity was a hit at the City of Palmerston’s 2025 National Children’s Week event! It was wonderful to see so many children (and adults!) getting creative while celebrating the rights and voices of young people. A big thanks to City of Palmerston for hosting such a vibrant community celebration for Children’s Week 2025 - a great reminder that every child has the right to be safe, heard, and supported.

Join Children's Rights Queensland and NAPCAN for a special screening of the film Future Council. This film follows eight children on the ultimate school excursion: a road trip across Europe to meet influential leaders and explore solutions to some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges. Their mission is to understand the planet’s predicament, discover innovative solutions, and bring the conversation from the streets into the boardrooms of some of the world’s largest polluters and most powerful companies. This bold, hopeful journey leads to the creation of a Future Council—young changemakers working with business leaders to shape a better world. The event will take place at the Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema and will include a short panel discussion at the end of the movie. Entry to the film is free and by invitation only. Registration is required! Importantly, 75% of the producer’s profit share from the film will be donated to Future Council Ltd, a not-for-profit supporting these children as they collaborate with businesses, institutions, and schools to create a better future. By attending, you are directly supporting this child-led global movement for change. Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gmqtRnT9 #childrensweek

Young people themselves are not society’s biggest problem; it’s how they are portrayed in the media. Learn how NAPCAN is changing the narrative and leading the charge towards fair youth coverage. https://hubs.li/Q03PghJn0 #ThirdSector