White Balloon Day is a symbol of support for survivors of
child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse (CSA), also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child (whet ...
. It first began after a public meeting in
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
in October 1996, when 300,000 people gathered with white balloons to show public sympathy and support for the parents of girls who were
sexually assaulted of a previously convicted and then released
paedophile
Pedophilia ( alternatively spelt paedophilia) is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children. Although girls typically begin the process of puberty a ...
.
White Balloon Day is also held annually during National Child Protection Week in Australia. Its aim is to raise awareness of child sexual assault within the community. The 2018 date was September 7.
References
External links
White Balloon Day Official Website
Awareness days
Child sexual abuse in Belgium
September observances
Child sexual abuse in Australia
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