What is White Balloon Day?
White Balloon Day is a symbol of support for survivors of child sexual abuse. It first began after a public meeting in Belgium in October 1996, when 300,000 people gathered with white balloons to show public sympathy and support for the parents of girls who were sexually assaulted of a previously convicted and then released paedophile.
White Balloon Day is also held annually during National Child Protection Week in Australia. Its aim is to raise awareness of child sexual assault within the community.
When is White Balloon Day?
Friday, 10 September
Activities to be embedded:
- Display White Balloon Day 2020 A3 poster and encourse children to come dressed in white to raise funds for child protection week - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WBD-2021-Poster_A3.pdf
- Get Involved in White Balloon Day - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/home/get-involved/get-involved-school/
- Ditto’s 3 Rule for Keeping Safe A3 poster for your home or classroom – ideal for ages 3 to 8 - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ditto-Rules_A3Poster-1.jpg
- A Bravehearts poster for staff rooms to remind educators, childcare workers, staff and volunteers about their role in protecting children - https://whiteballoonday.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Protect-students-staff-poster.jpg
- Teach children their rights:
- Teach children protective behaviours
- Let your children plant a tree as a commitment to nurture every generation so that the next generation may be stronger.
- Intentional Teaching - Raise awareness about stranger danger and role play scenarios and who is a dafe person to go to i.e. police
- Empower your staff - Organise child protection training to equip your staff and volunteers to make child protection a priority.
- Update your centres child protection policies
