BY EMILY WILLIAMS
Local organisation What Were You Wearing is presenting a panel on the importance of safeguarding children this evening.
The event, which will be held at the University of Newcastle's City Campus, comes as Child Protection Week draws to a close.
The theme of this year's Child Protection Week is 'every child, in every community, needs a fair go', part of a push to make sure children in Australia are growing up safe and supported.
What Were You Wearing Australia Founder Sarah Williams says the panel will be a great source of education for parents and community members.
"We're trying to get the community together to work on ending child abuse and neglect," she said.
The event also falls on Bravehearts Day (formerly Bravehearts White Balloon Day), which aims to raise awareness of and prevent the sexual abuse of children.
The recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that 1 in 5 children will experience sexual assault.
Guest speakers at the event will include Vicki Weller from Disability Advocacy NSW, Sharon Grimmond from Newcastle Sexual Assault Service, and Hillary Milton from Child Abuse Protection Service Newcastle (CAPS).
What Were You Wearing is a survivor-run community organisation working to provide awareness and education across the country and advocate against sexual assault.
Tickets to this evening's panel are $20 or $15 for concessions and can be bought here. You can find more information on the panel on What Were You Wearing's social medial channels.
