Last week the church and its parishioners did just that by hosting what they called White Balloon Sunday. 

The idea was to show support for the concept, which is Australia’s largest campaign dedicated to preventing child sexual assault.  

St Peter’s had cardboard white balloons for people to write their names on and pin up to show they would do their part in protecting children, with white balloons also drawn onto the concrete outside of the church. 

Father Robert Murphy said it was crucial to get behind initiatives like White Balloon Day.

“I think what we have seen from the recent Royal Commission (into child abuse within churches) is we need to be showing this sort of behaviour is never acceptable,” he said. 

“Children are very vulnerable and the statistics we have learned about through White Balloon Day are just terrible. 

“It’s horrible and we all must united to do better in protecting our children.”

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2018 was the second time St Peter’s has held a White Balloon Day event. Bravehearts is the organisation behind White Balloon Day and has been spreading its message for 22 years that child abuse in any form won’t be tolerated. 

The white balloon represents a symbol of hope for survivors of child sexual assault and encourages them to break the silence by speaking out.

In turn, the humble white balloon works to protect today’s children against sexual assault. 

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