By Salt 106.5 Network Wednesday 11 Sep 2024Social JusticeReading Time: 4 minutes

It’s a hallowed ground where dreams have been made, and legends born.

Key points

• Charity Act for Kids reports that every year there are at least 45,000 cases of children experiencing harm and trauma in Australia.
• For $10, people can buy a virtual seat in Suncorp Stadium to help fill the venue with a “united show of support.”
• “I’m lending my support to the campaign because child protection is everybody’s business,” says the NRL Hall-of-Famer and former Brisbane Bronco Darren Lockyer.

Now, Brisbane’s treasured Suncorp Stadium, which has hosted State of Origin, NRL, Matildas games and more, has become a symbol of hope for thousands of Australian children.

Charity Act for Kids reports that every year there are at least 45,000 cases of children experiencing harm and trauma in Australia.

That’s nearly one child for every seat in Suncorp.

“It’s hard to imagine nearly every seat at Suncorp Stadium filled with a child who has experienced abuse, however that’s the reality of the issue in Australia,” Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines said.

Charity Act for Kids reports that every year there are at least 45,000 cases of children experiencing harm and trauma in Australia.

Virtual seats

Australians can support those kids by buying a seat in the Stadium of Hope.

For $10, people can buy a virtual seat in Suncorp Stadium to help fill the venue with a “united show of support.”

Every seat represents a chance for healing, giving children access to therapy and support services.

“Suncorp Stadium is a place where thousands of families and children gather each week to connect, be entertained and cheer on their sporting heroes,” the stadium’s General Manager Alan Graham said.

“We’re so honoured to be able to support The Stadium of Hope for Act for Kids.”

Darren Lockyer, Former Wallabies Captain Stephen Moore AM, Australian Boxing Champion Jeff Horn, Former NRLW Player and Hall of Fame Inductee Veronica White, Queensland Firebird Lara Dunkley, Ivania Wong and Brisbane Roar’s Grace Kuilamu. Pictures: Jesse Smith

“Everybody’s business”

NRL legend Darren Lockyer is working with the charity to help fill the very stadium where he so often enthralled Australians.

“I’m lending my support to the campaign because child protection is everybody’s business,” says the NRL Hall-of-Famer and former Brisbane Bronco.

“Suncorp Stadium is like a second home to me, so it’s only fitting for me to get on board with this fundraising effort that I know will help kids in need.”

Other Australian sports stars who have graced the Suncorp turf and who have thrown their support behind the campaign are former Wallabies captain Stephen Moore, Boxing champ Jeff Horn, former Jillaroo Veronica White, Qld Firebird’s Lara Dunkley, and Brisbane Roar’s Grace Kuilamu.

“Suncorp Stadium was the scene of a moment that changed my life,” Jeff Horn said of winning the WBO welterweight championship against Manny Pacquiao in 2017.

For $10, people can buy a virtual seat in Suncorp Stadium to help fill the venue with a “united show of support.”

“Now I’m asking Aussies to take on the fight and help change the lives of kids who have experienced abuse and neglect.”

How the virtual stadium will help

All funds raised through the Stadium of Hope will go directly to Act for Kids, supporting “essential therapy and services” for children and families who have been impacted by abuse and neglect.

“All children in Australia deserve to be safe, happy, and loved,” an Act for Kids statement read.

“Get your virtual seat in the Stadium of Hope today and help us fill the stadium with hope and healing.”

In addition to single seats at Suncorp, there are also family, group and corporate box options.

Once a donation has been made, people will receive a “personalised social media tile” to help spread the word.

Up to 50,000 cases of abuse

Act for Kids reports that last year there were 45,000 to 50,000 cases of child abuse confirmed in Australia.

And every 11 minutes a child suffers abuse or neglect.

“I’m lending my support to the campaign because child protection is everybody’s business,” says the NRL Hall-of-Famer and former Brisbane Bronco Darren Lockyer.

Meanwhile, around 22,000 kids accessed therapy services through Act for Kids.

And in new research commissioned by Act for Kids, more than half of young people aged 14-17 reported witnessing emotional abuse at school.

Emotional abuse was the most common type of maltreatment among child abuse cases in Australia in 2022-23.

“Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, yet it often goes unnoticed or unreported,” Dr Lines said.

“It’s defined as a pattern of behaviours that damage a child’s sense of self-worth and impact their emotional development.”

Seats still available

As of today, there are still virtual seats available at the Stadium of Hope.

“If you think about all those smiling faces of people going to a footy game and replace it with 50,000 kids who have experienced maltreatment, you can see the extent of the problem,” Dr Lines said.

“We want to fill the stadium with people supporting children in Australia.”

To buy your virtual ticket visit here.

Article supplied with thanks to Michael Crooks. Michael is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine, QantasLink Spirit, Who and The New Daily.