Bravehearts Foundation

The Bravehearts Foundation is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. Established in 1997, it focuses exclusively on child protection by educating children and communities, providing support services, and advocating for legislative reform to safeguard children from sexual abuse[1][2].

Vision and Mission

Bravehearts envisions a world where individuals, communities, and systems collaboratively protect children from sexual abuse. Its mission is to provide a coordinated and holistic approach to preventing and treating child sexual abuse through education, counselling, support, and advocacy[1][2].

Core Activities

Personal Safety Education:
Bravehearts delivers educational programs aimed at children and young people aged 3 to 17 years, teaching personal safety, body ownership, cyber-safety, and consent. Its flagship program, Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure, targets children aged 3 to 8 and is designed to empower them with knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to unsafe situations[2][3].

Counselling and Support:
The organisation offers counselling and support services for children and families affected by sexual abuse. It also operates a national Information and Support Line and provides case management for adult survivors seeking redress. Additionally, Bravehearts intervenes with children and young people exhibiting harmful sexual behaviours[2][5].

Child Protection Training:
Bravehearts offers comprehensive online training for individuals who work with or support children, including teachers, educators, support staff, and coaches. These courses help participants understand, prevent, and respond appropriately to child safety risks and issues[2][5].

Research and Legislative Reform:
The foundation ensures its programs are evidence-based by conducting and applying current research. It also advocates for the rights of children and adult survivors by campaigning for legislative and systemic reforms[2].

Recognition and Compliance

Bravehearts is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is recognised as a compliant Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) organisation. It is also a registered provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Moreover, it is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider, affirming its commitment to child safety in digital environments[1].

Community Engagement

Bravehearts actively engages the community through awareness campaigns like Bravehearts Day, aimed at mobilizing support to fight against child sexual abuse nationwide. The organisation collaborates with local businesses and volunteers to enhance its impact and fundraising efforts, contributing to a more informed and vigilant society[4][5].

The Bravehearts Foundation remains a pivotal entity in Australia’s child protection landscape by combining education, support, training, and advocacy to create safer environments for children.

[1] https://bravehearts.org.au [2] https://www.braveheartsday.com.au/about/about-bravehearts [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/ee3a7a14-39af-e811-a961-000d3ad24182 [4] https://www.braveheartsday.com.au [5] https://www.loans.com.au/women-children-community/brisbane-broncos/bravehearts-foundation