The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN), coordinates National Child Protection Week (NCPW) each year. In 2025, NCPW is from Sunday 7 until Saturday 13 September. This initiative invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
After all, … “Protecting children is everyone’s business”.
In 2025, we are challenged by the National Child Protection Week theme:
This 2025 theme highlights that words alone are not enough. Conversations can raise awareness, challenge harmful norms, and spark new ideas, however our dialogue must lead to meaningful action. We must ensure that our words are not only spoken and written, but actioned to prevent harm, strengthen support systems, and empower ALL to actively protect children.
To this end, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart works to continue a culture of safety for all, we review our Safeguarding Policy Framework regularly, we safely recruit and ensure training for our Workplace Participants, and we have independent oversight of our ministries and work. We want to not only “talk the talk”, but also “walk the walk”, thus ensuring that our ministries and environments are safe spaces for all.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart annually pledge support for National Child Protection Week. You can click here to view our 2025 pledge on NAPCAN’s website.
To further our support, the below 2025 National Child Protection Week posters are on display within our Congregational and Regional Offices. As the poster details “Embracing the domino effect with every conversation, every action”. To raise awareness within your own circle of influence, you can access these free posters by clicking here.
NAPCAN invites us to participate in a webinar program during the week of National Child Protection Week. You are invited to view the week-long webinar program by clicking here and registering for these free webinars.
The Australian Catholic Church observes ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ (previously called ‘Child Protection Sunday’) on the second Sunday in September each year. Safeguarding Sunday coincides with National Child Protection Week and falls on Sunday 14 September 2025.
Safeguarding Sunday seeks to acknowledge the immense damage caused by the sexual abuse of children, including by priests, religious and lay people within the Catholic contexts. It makes a commitment to the practices and protocols that create and maintain safe environments for all people, especially children and other people who are at risk. It invites people to pray for those harmed by abuse directly and indirectly.
This year the Australian Church will be embracing the theme: We are a safe, hope-filled, and welcoming Church.
Catholic Religious Australia usually develop a range of resources, including recommended Prayers of Intercession, for all to access. You can click here to view the resources which are expected to be uploaded closer to the date.
Looking ahead, the National Day of Sorrow and Promise is recognised on 22 October 2025. This day offers a response from Catholic Religious Australia recognising all who have been harmed from abuse in the Church and committing to a safer future. Naming the abuse, pain and suffering helps us to ensure that such abuse does not occur again. It is expected that Catholic Religious Australia will have a Liturgy booklet available on their website, closer to the date.
As you can see, the September and October calendars are a busy time to recognise, reflect and commit to a world which is safe for all. Please join with me in paying tribute to these important dates.
Jane Lace
Safeguarding Co-ordinator
jane.lace@sosj.org.au
+61 2 8912 2760
Images obtained from NAPCAN – National Child Protection Week.