With Christmas just weeks away, community organisations such as Act for Kids are bracing for an influx of referrals as families struggle under the pressures of the holiday season.
Act for Kids CEO Dr Neil Carrington says its normal to have numbers spike over Christmas as families already under financial or emotional stress have these issues exacerbated over this period.
Christmas is a time where kids should feel safe and loved and happy but sadly, on Christmas Day alone there will be at least 120 children who are abused or neglected in Australia, Dr Carrington said.
As the silly season approaches, Act for Kids Executive Director of Services Dr Katrina Lines urges families to work together, be kind to one another and most importantly, ask for help if they need it!
There are a number of ways that families can look after themselves over Christmas and a lot of it just comes down to making good decisions for them and their kids. Setting a budget and sticking to it so you dont overspend, keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum, making sure kids are getting plenty of time outdoors and away from their devices to let out all their energy, Dr Lines advises.
Act for Kids encourages everyone to look out for the children in their lives who may become the subject of abuse and to report any concerns to their states child safety services as listed here.