The launch of My superhero voice, a culturally inclusive and age-appropriate children’s storybook aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, was held at Tatterson Pavilion in Keysborough, Victoria. Created as part of the ‘One Talk at a Time’ campaign by the National Office for Child Safety within the Attorney-General’s Department, in collaboration with Cultural Perspectives, this storybook supports families to engage in proactive conversations about personal safety, boundaries, and trust. The alarming statistic presented, that around 1 in 4 (28.5%) Australians have experienced child sexual abuse, further marking the importance and timeliness of this book launch.
Conversations Have the Power to Help
Developed through extensive research and feedback from experts and culturally diverse communities, My superhero voice is both accessible and trauma-informed, designed to reach children and families from all backgrounds. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus introduced the book, underscoring its importance for families, schools, and communities. “Preventing child sexual abuse requires us to talk openly about this issue and equip children with the knowledge and tools to feel empowered,” he said, stressing the significance of normalising discussions around child safety and equipping children and their families to recognise unsafe situations.
We Can End Child Sexual Abuse, One Talk at a Time
Yvonne Sewankambo, the author of My superhero voice, also spoke at the event. She shared insights into the significance of the project and the challenges of crafting a sensitive, accessible story that would resonate with children of all backgrounds. Sewankambo’s goal was to create a resource that empowers children to understand their rights and encourages them to use their voice if something feels wrong. Following her remarks, she led a storytelling session, bringing the book’s empowering messages to life. This live reading captivated the audience of children, caregivers, and community members, demonstrating the impact that culturally relevant narratives can have in making children feel safe and confident. Talking about child sexual abuse can be difficult, but conversations are important.
Proactive Conversations Can Be Age-Appropriate and Positive
The launch drew a diverse audience, including community members, local organisations, and representatives from multicultural media. The turnout reflected the broad support and recognition of the book’s importance in protecting children within Australia’s multicultural landscape. My superhero voice is particularly meaningful for Australia’s Filipino community, as some characters in the book have Filipino names, making the story more relatable for Filipino children and reinforcing a sense of inclusion.
All Adults Have a Role to Play
To ensure accessibility for multicultural communities, the storybook is available in multiple languages beyond English, including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Farsi, Hazaragi, Khmer, Korean, Punjabi, Thai, and Vietnamese. These translations enable families to discuss safety topics comfortably in familiar terms, bridging language and cultural gaps.
Be Part of the Solution
Available as a free download on the ChildSafety.gov.au website, My superhero voice and its companion resources are part of the ‘One Talk at a Time’ campaign, which emphasises that child sexual abuse prevention can start with small, proactive conversations. By providing culturally inclusive and accessible resources, the campaign invites all Australians to help create safer environments for children, proving that through starting supportive conversations, adults make a profound difference in a child’s well-being. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to be part of the solution by starting conversations among other adults regarding the topic and leading responsible talks with the children and young people in their lives.
If you need support or information about reporting child safety concerns, please visit childsafety.gov.au.
