Meet the National Children's Commissioner

Education

The Children's Rights Report

Every year, I write a report to the Australian Government about the state of children's rights in Australia.

In my report I make recommendations about how I think we can better look after all children and young people.

As well as writing a report for the politicians, I also write one for you! You can read the child-friendly versions of my reports here.

Children's Rights Report 2013

In 2013, in my first year as the National Children’s Commissioner, I went around Australia listening to children and young people.

I met over 1,000 children and young people. About 1,400 children and young people also filled in surveys and sent me postcards.

I asked them what was important to them and what would make life better. I heard stories from adults who work with children and young people too.

After I had listened to all the great things that children, young people and adults had to say, I came up with five main ideas.

These ideas are helping me do my work.

The right to be heard
We need to make sure that adults listen to children and young people and take their views seriously.
Freedom from violence, abuse and neglect
We need to make sure that all children and young people are safe.
The opportunity to thrive
All children and young people need to grow up strong, healthy and happy. We need to help children and young people who are having a really hard time right from the start, instead of waiting until the problems get really bad.
Engaged citizenship
We should help children and young people get involved in their schools and communities – to be citizens! They need to know about their rights!
Action and accountability
We need to know all about how children and young people are doing in Australia. Then we need to make sure that the Australian Government makes laws and rules which help all children and young people.

Read the Children's Rights Report 2013 (Child-friendly version)

Children's Rights Report 2014

This year I paid special attention to the human rights of young children who are in early education and care. It’s important to make sure that children know about their rights as early as possible.

Children can use their rights to tell someone if they don’t feel safe and to have a say about things that matter to them. People working with young children should listen to young children and help them to learn about their rights and to have all the things they need to do well.

I also spoke to children and young people about privacy. All children and young people have the right to privacy and in Australia there are rules about this.

Privacy rules can be broken when someone goes into your home without being asked, when you are being watched without you knowing, or when someone uses information without you agreeing.

After I spoke to children and young people about privacy rules, I shared what they said with adults working to make better privacy rules.

Everyone gets worried and upset sometimes. Children and young people have a right to life and health, and help if they need it.

This year I learned a lot about what worries and upsets children and young people. Some children and young people get so upset that they hurt themselves. I spoke to young people and adults about how we can make sure children and young people get better help.

Children and young people have some very important human rights to help them be healthy and get help, like the right:

to be alive
to not be hurt or mistreated
to special education and care if you have a disability
to good health care, safe drinking water, healthy food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help you stay well
to be looked after
to food, clothing, and a safe place to live
to protection from harmful drugs
not to be punished in a cruel way
to help if you’ve been hurt or
badly treated
to be respected and listened to.

Read the Children's Rights Report 2014 (Child-friendly version)

Children's Rights Report 2015

This year I looked at how children and young people are affected by family and domestic violence.

For most children and young people, home is a place where they feel safe, protected and loved. However, some children and young people don’t feel safe in their own home.

Disagreeing about things is a regular part of family life. Sometimes your parents might have disagreements about money or who does chores around the house. You might argue with your mum or dad, or brother or sister, about a lot of different things.

But sometimes arguments in families go too far and people can get hurt.

Sometimes children and young people see members of their family, like one of their parents, getting hurt. Sometimes children and young people are the ones who are getting hurt.

Violence in families has a big effect on everyone, especially children and young people.

Children and young people who have to deal with violence at home can feel:

afraid
anxious or depressed
lonely
angry
guilty
confused.

There’s no excuse for family and domestic violence. It is never OK.

All children and young people have the right to be safe. I will be working with the Australian Government to help make sure that children and young people are safe and protected in their homes.

Read the Children's Rights Report 2015 (Child-friendly version)

What if you are in danger of getting hurt or are worried about getting hurt?

Do you know where to go to get help?

If you think you are in immediate danger, get the police by dialling 000.

If you don’t feel safe at home or you are worried that other members of your family are not safe, there are lots of ways you can get help.

You can talk to someone you trust, like a friend or a teacher.

If you wanted to talk to someone on the phone, you can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

You can also talk to headspace:

face-to-face at a headspace centre
online at www.eheadspace.org.au
on the phone by calling 1800 650 890.