Child Abuse Prevention Service (CAPS) is Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated exclusively to the prevention of child sexual abuse. Established in 1973, CAPS has spent fifty years building evidence-based programs, strong community partnerships, and thought leadership to ensure that every child grows up safe from harm. Its long history makes it one of the most experienced and trusted child abuse prevention agencies in the country, with a unique focus on child sexual abuse as both a social justice issue and a public health priority. Based on recent tragedies in childcare centres in Melbourne and Sydney, along with the Australian Child Maltreatment Study, it shows that more than one in four children experience sexual abuse, revealing deep gaps in the systems of protection.

At the heart of CAPS’ work is Safe Communities, Safe Children (SCSC), a world-first program that brings together educators, parents, and preschoolers. Children learn protective language and strategies. Parents gain the confidence to have life-saving conversations. Educators build the skills to recognise and respond to risks. Evaluations show extraordinary results: children are practising the “No Go Tell” rule in everyday life, 100 percent of parents recommend the program, and educators report lasting culture change in their centres.

Beyond SCSC, CAPS strengthens community safety through Safe Arrival, supporting newly arrived families; Child Safe Leaders, helping organisations embed the legislated Child Safe Standards; and scalable e-learning modules, extending prevention nationally.

CAPS’ landmark research partnership with Macquarie University is generating world-first evidence that prevention works. This places child sexual abuse prevention on the same evidence base as clinical interventions. The breakthrough has already attracted interest from Japan and South Korea, with early discussions about licensing the program internationally.

For half a century, CAPS has been a trusted voice for children. Today, with community trust, global recognition and the urgency of public demand, CAPS are proving that together a future is possible where every child is safe and every community knows how to protect them. Ultimately, CAPS believe that every child kept safe today shapes a stronger and safer Australia tomorrow.

For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Service, visit https://www.caps.org.au/.