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The Australian Council for Children and Youth Organisations (ACCYO) is a national not-for-profit organisation established in 2001. ACCYO was established to provide organisations with strategies to safeguard children and young people in organisations. 

• On May 3 ACCYO launches the Safeguarding Children Program, which provides organisations with a comprehensive set of standards, an implementation guide, resources and online training to protect children and young people in their care. A 3-year accreditation can then be achieved by successfully completing an independent audit.
• Child abuse is preventable and this is the fundamental aim of ACCYO’s work. Organisations cannot afford to be complacent. 

“Denying that children are at risk in organisations is misguided. The myth that ‘it couldn’t happen here’ needs to be dispelled, “said Katherine Sylvan CEO of ACCYO.

The ACCYO accreditation program goes beyond merely screening, to ensure viable steps have been taken to create a child-safe organisation.’ National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Issues Spring 2006. 

• ACCYO welcomes any opportunity to work in partnership with government or other agencies to prevent abuse occurring within organisations. 
•  ACCYO’s Safeguarding Children Program is relevant for any organisation, large or small, national or state-based, that works with children and young people.  

Katherine Sylvan CEO of ACCYO, “Undertaking this program and attaining accreditation sends a strong message that your organisation values children and will do all to ensure that children are safe in the care of this organisation.”