Each year, the Fete Day brings a carnival atmosphere to Corporate Express headquarters. On Fete Day, the general public is invited to come and buy Corporate Express stock at a reduced rate to raise money for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick (Child Protection Unit). Visitors can take part in face painting, jumping castles, a mobile animal farm and a BBQ.

 

More importantly, the day raises around $30,000 to fund a position within the Child Protection Unit and a Group Work Program for children who have been victims of child abuse. The Unit provides a caring safe-haven for abused children from tiny babies to adolescents. This abuse may present itself as broken bones, bruises, burns, head injuries or sexual abuse.

 

Nicki Wickham is a Social Worker for the Child Protection Unit. She works as a Group Work Coordinator with children and young people who have been sexually abused or assaulted. 

 

“We’ve been so lucky to have the support of Corporate Express. The money raised each year goes to provide resources for the Group Work Program including paying my salary. It has also enabled me to write several papers based on the groups which I have presented at international child abuse conferences in Germany, Queensland and New Zealand,” Nicki said. 

 

“By supporting the Child Protection Unit, Corporate Express has enabled the Unit to develop a group therapy program for children, young people and their parents.

 

“There are so many benefits to having children, young people and parents work together. Sexual assault tends to isolate people – it’s surrounded by secrecy. The aim of the program is to provide a safe place for support and education and to help overcome the emotional and psychological impact of sexual abuse. Working together in group therapy helps overcome that sense of isolation that often accompanies sexual assault and enables clients to develop trust in other people who have had similar experiences.

 

“These young people are really struggling with what’s happened to them. But in the group, they can be free and open, and they learn to trust other young people who have had similar experiences,” Nicki said.

 

According to statistics, one in every four girls under the age of 18 will have been sexually assaulted in some way, and one in every seven boys. These are the statistics that we know about; many assaults go unreported.   

 

“By working with the children and families in individual and group counselling soon after disclosure, we believe that we are helping to prevent long term negative effects of abuse.

 

“On behalf of the Child Protection Unit, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Corporate Express for its commitment to the work we do. Their support makes a huge difference to children and families,” she said.