Sporting heroes are urging Australians to ‘sell out’ a virtual stadium to help children and families who have experienced maltreatment.
Sadly, every year between 45,000 to 50,000 children in Australia are confirmed to have experienced abuse and neglect.
That figure falls alarmingly close to the number of seats at a sporting match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Aussies are being urged to help by purchasing virtual tickets to the Stadium of Hope, with all money raised to go to national child protection charity Act for Kids.
NRL Great Darren Lockyer and Boxing Champion Jeff Horn are among the sporting personalities encouraging everyone to get behind the campaign and secure their seat in the Stadium of Hope for Act for Kids.
“I’m lending my support to the campaign because child protection is everybody’s business,” Lockyer said.
“Suncorp Stadium is like a second home to me, so it’s only fitting for me to get on board with this fundraising effort that I know will help kids in need.”
Horn added: “Suncorp Stadium was the scene of a moment that changed my life. Now I’m asking Aussies to take on the fight and help change the lives of kids who have experienced abuse and neglect.”
The Stadium of Hope comes as new research commissioned by Act for Kids found four in five Australians agreed emotional abuse is a serious problem.
It also revealed more than half of young people aged 14-17 reported witnessing emotional abuse at school.
Emotional abuse was the most common type of maltreatment (57%) among the more than 45,000 children in Australia confirmed to have experienced abuse in 2022-231.
Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines said the findings were concerning and show a real need to increase community awareness.
“Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, yet it often goes unnoticed or unreported. It’s defined as a pattern of behaviours that damage a child’s sense of self-worth and impact their emotional development,” Dr Lines said.
“It’s hard to imagine nearly every seat at Suncorp Stadium filled with a child who has experienced abuse, however that is the reality of the issue in Australia,” she explained.
Suncorp Stadium General Manager Alan Graham said The Stadium was proud to be supporting Act for Kids.
“Suncorp Stadium is a place where thousands of families and children gather each week to connect, be entertained and cheer on their sporting heroes. We’re so honoured to be able to support The Stadium of Hope for Act for Kids this Child Protection Week,” Mr Graham said.
To buy your virtual seat in the Stadium of Hope and to find out more, visit: stadiumofhope.com.au
For more information on recognising and preventing emotional abuse, and to access the ‘Safe Hearts and Minds’ online tipsheet, as well as other resources and guidance, please visit here.
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Media Opportunities:
Please contact Act for Kids media and advocacy specialist Melanie Whiting on 0427 794 666 or melanie.whiting@actforkids.com.au