Community
4 December, 2021
The Imaginary Toy Store: A campaign to support children who experience trauma
A different pandemic has been affecting the child safety sector as the number of reports made to child protection authorities in Australia in 2020 was 48,886. In that period, one in 32 children received child protection services.
Act for Kids (AFK) is an Australian for-purpose organisation that offers professional therapy and support services to children and families who experience abuse or are at risk of experiencing it. They have noticed firsthand this growing issue.
CEO of Act for Kids, Katrina Lines, said the pandemic has directly impacted the wellbeing of children.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has presented many challenges for families, including new financial pressures and added stresses which have had a serious impact on children and created a shadow pandemic of mental health problems,” Ms Lines said.
“Act for Kids alone has experienced a 30% increase in demand since the beginning of the pandemic, and today – we currently have hundreds of children who have suffered trauma on our waitlists across Australia.”
Only in Cairns, the figures of children in need of child protection and intervention are alarming, with more than 3,300 kids accessing AFK’s services. A number significantly higher than Townsville (1,275) and Mackay (1,762).
To get the necessary funding for their integrated therapy services, AFK launched ‘The Imaginary Toy Store’ campaign, where people can buy imaginary toys which they can share digitally while supporting children in need receive the assistance they need.
Ms Lines said that initiatives like The Imaginary Toy Store give back children the right to imagine.
“The Imaginary Toy Store is a concept created to support every child’s right to imagine.”
“Sadly, children who have experienced trauma during critical developmental periods can struggle to ‘imagine’ or create positive situations in their mind.”
The goal of AFK’s Imaginary Toy Store this Christmas is to get the necessary funding to reach as many children as possible.
“Act for Kids hopes to reduce our waitlists and help as many children as possible heal from trauma, particularly as a result of abuse and neglect experienced throughout the pandemic,” Ms Lines said.
“Christmas can be stressful for a lot of children and young people who have experienced trauma because they do not have a safe home. Supporting the Act for Kids ‘Imaginary Toy Store’ is a simple way to help these children have a safe home and give the gift of imagination this holiday season.
“We desperately need the support of the community, businesses and organisations to help as many children as possible. Early intervention, care and therapy all play a critical role in supporting and healing children from their trauma so that they can lead happy lives,” she said.
To purchase a toy or donate to the ‘Imaginary Toy Store’, visit: https://imaginarytoystore.com.au/
