Guidance Officers

One Talk at a Time

Conversations that Help Keep Young People Safe

As parents and carers, having conversations with young people about personal safety can sometimes feel difficult or uncomfortable. The National Office for Child Safety’s “One Talk at a Time” campaign encourages adults to have ongoing, open and age-appropriate conversations with children and young people about safety, boundaries, respectful relationships and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

The key message is that these conversations don’t need to happen all at once. Small, everyday conversations can help young people understand that they can come to a trusted adult with questions, worries or concerns, and that they will be listened to and supported.

For teenagers, conversations can naturally be connected to topics they are already experiencing, including:

• respectful relationships and personal boundaries
• consent and respecting other people's boundaries
• online safety and interactions with people they may not know
• recognising when something feels uncomfortable or unsafe
• knowing that they can talk to a trusted adult if they have a concern

• understanding that they do not have to keep secrets that make them feel unsafe or uncomfortable

   

You don’t need to wait for the “perfect” time to start a conversation. The National Office for Child Safety suggests using everyday opportunities — such as driving in the car, watching a television program, discussing something in the news or talking about situations that arise online — as natural starting points. Conversations can then be revisited over time as young people grow and their experiences change.

The “One Talk at a Time” campaign provides practical resources, conversation starters and videos to help parents and carers feel more confident having these conversations.

You can explore the campaign and resources here:

One Talk at a Time – National Office for Child Safety

Having conversations with children and young people

Resources to teach body safety

At The Gap State High School, we encourage families to keep these conversations going at home. Creating a culture where young people know they can ask questions, speak up and seek help is an important part of keeping our young people safe.

Every conversation can make a difference — one talk at a time.