The Australian Childhood Foundation is facing enormous challenges as the demand for our services increases exponentially in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tragic side effect of necessary and lifesaving isolation measures will be that children are physically removed from the people and places that support them: school, their friends and their counsellors.

​​​​​​​Parents already consumed with fear and uncertainty may also be experiencing the loss of their livelihoods and the prospect of not having anywhere to live. And under stress, some adults—especially those with trauma histories themselves—may take their fear and anger out on those less powerful than them: children.

We desperately need to raise $300,000 to help scale up our programs and be able to provide our specialist trauma therapy for children and families remotely. We need to invest in teleconference facilities and purchase video conferencing accounts, as well as ensure more counsellors are available to meet the increasing demand.

Will you be there for children who are trapped at home, experiencing not just the chaos and uncertainty of this pandemic, but harmful family dynamics as well?

No one will escape this virus unscathed, least of all vulnerable children. Child abuse only multiplies behind closed doors.