In 2007, the HSE ran a major information campaign on parenting and why it's important to listen to our children. The aim was to remind parents and communities that one of the best ways to protect children and build strong family relationships is to encourage communication between children and adults. The campaign called 'Parents who listen, Protect' was supported by the ISPCC, Barnardos and the National Youth Council of Ireland.
 
The Report of the Ferns Inquiry recommended that a publicity campaign was required, that would 'assist parents in performing their constitutional rights and duties to safeguard their children'.  A task group of staff from child protection, family support services and communications reviewed research into this area and examined a range of approaches and objectives for an information campaign. Having taken on board the views and expertise of our own child protection staff nationwide, and also reviewing international research and evidence, it was clear that supporting parents in their role as the primary educators and protectors of children was a powerful tool, and one which would be most likely to drive a fresh approach to child protection in Ireland.
 

When adults listen to and communicate with children, it is much more likely that a child who experiences any sort of bullying, risk or exploitation will tell or look for help. A community that listens to children, protects children.
 

The campaign began with TV and Radio ads, showing a child who wanted to say something . The purpose of the advertisement was to remind parents to 'take time to listen to your children - they may have something important to tell you'. Every household in Ireland received a copy of a handbook, also titled 'Parents who listen, Protect'.

The handbook is a practical guide for all adults - parents, uncles and aunts, grandparents and neighbours. It outlines the importance of listening to and communicating with children and young people.  It gives some practical hints and tips on how to talk to and listen to children, firstly in general terms, and then focusing on particular times in a child's life, from babyhood to school days, through to teen years. It lists contact details for HSE services should readers have any concerns about either their children or their parenting skills, or simply want to find out about parenting courses or services in their local area.
 

The handbook is available to read or download on this page in English, Irish, Franch, Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish, Romanian and Chinese