Analysis of performance Fundamental to all our work are the principles of a rights-based approach - participation, accountability, non-discrimination and equality, empowerment and legality. These principles are central to ensuring better understanding of, and respect for, human rights so people and communities take action to defend human rights in their own context. The below stories of change are chosen to demonstrate these in principles in practice, across different communities and in different contexts, to meet this outcome. Supporting Quality Engagement with Children – ‘Do things with the information we tell you’ The Supporting Quality Engagement project, funded by the Department of Social Services and led by the National Children’s Commissioner, has the broad aim of elevating the voices of children and young people to influence policy. A three-year project, year 1 focused on the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 (National Strategy), led by the National Office for Child Safety (the National Office). Specifically, consultations explored two key issues: • • how the services and support to which children and young people turned in tough times could be improved; and ideas for content and features for a website and helpline to assist victims and survivors of child sexual abuse (to inform Measure 7 under the National Strategy’s First National Action Plan). The process of consultations – actively listening to the thoughts, ideas, opinions and advice of children and young people – was itself an exercise in rightsrealisation. Children and young people were realising their right to participate in decisions affecting them, as per Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. For many, they were realising a right they had previously not had access to. As participation is a gateway right, consulting with children and National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds (C) with Dr Mike Freelander MP (L) and Zali Steggall, OAM, MP (R) at the Parliamentary Friends of Child and Adolescent Health and Mental Health breakfast Sept 2024. young people – helping them to access the right to participate – means equipping them with tools with which to access their other rights. The team travelled to metropolitan, regional and remote areas around the country with the National Children’s Commissioner. The team conducted 35 small group and one-to-one consultations with 232 children and young people, many of whom had lived experience of abuse. These consultations were organised with the support of partner organisations, including NGOs and schools. The process was designed with safeguarding as a priority, which resulted in children and young people feeling safe enough to explore difficult subjects, particularly the help that victims and survivors of abuse need. This also meant that the team, through strong stakeholder relationships, could reach some of the most vulnerable children – children who would not usually have opportunities to be heard. The high level of engagement from children and young people suggested that young people want to Annual Report 2023–2024 • 47