Safe places for kids in remote communities

Kids deserve protection from abuse no matter where they live. In partnership with traditional owner groups, we’re establishing four Safe Houses to protect children living in remote Aboriginal communities across West Cape York.

The houses – located in Aurukun, Napranum, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw – are safe places for kids to stay while child protection problems in their family are being resolved.

How we help

Each Safe House can accommodate up to six children at a time. We employ house parents (trusted people from within the community) to care for the children, making sure kids are properly fed and clothed, and can attend school undisrupted. Meanwhile, our family workers try their best to help the family resolve safety issues so kids can return home.

Before ACT for Kids started in these communities, kids often had to be sent as far away as Cairns to get temporary out-of-home care. Our Safe Houses now give children with safety concerns a stable and loving place to live – in familiar surroundings, and in the care of familiar people.