Eumundi Voice - Issue 103, 3 October 2024

COMMUNITY

Coast charity celebrates

A charity founded by a Sunshine Coast mother and daughter is preparing to celebrate 5 years of saving the lives of young people who have experienced sexual abuse.

Founded in 2019 by Annie Jones – a survivor of child sexual abuse – and her mother Tracey Morris, No More Fake Smiles is a nationally registered charity that provides a safe and supportive environment for children and youth aged 0-24 to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse.

Annie and Tracey use their lived experience to create a compassionate, trauma-informed approach tailored to each victim’s needs. No More Fake Smiles has provided 315 hours of comprehensive support this year alone to numerous children and youth aged 4 to 24.

The statistics are heartbreaking. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Recorded Crime 2023 Report, there were 36,318 victims of sexual assault recorded in Australia last year. Around 2 in 5 of those victims were children aged between 10 and 17 at the date of the incident.

“We are working to eradicate the stigma surrounding child sexual abuse, enhance protection and respect for affected children, and advocate for systemic changes to safeguard and support these vulnerable individuals,” said Annie.

Their tireless work – which is solely funded by generous donations from the community – has been recognised by the Qld Police Service as an official referral service for the Brisbane Local Area Command.

You can support No More Fake Smiles and celebrate Mental Health Week at the 5th Birthday Celebration on 5 October from 5.30pm at the Bli Bli Hotel.

The event features a cocktail on arrival, twocourse dinner and live entertainment. Tickets are $129 at nomorefakesmiles.com.au/5thbirthday-celebration. If you cannot make it to the event, you can donate at nomorefakesmiles. com.au/donate.