Step in for Kids Takes Off

Today marks an exciting milestone- not just the launch of a new not-for-profit organisation, but the beginning of a movement with a deeply personal story at its core. Step in For Kids was born from a painful beginning, but out of that experience has come a roadmap: a way to turn lived reality into lessons that can protect other children.

I’m the Publicity Manager for Step in For Kids, but this role is far more than my usual marketing and media work. This campaign is personal. The survivor advocate behind this project, Sarah Kopp, also happens to be my childhood best friend. I’ve seen her story unfold since we were fifteen. I’ve witnessed the long-term impacts of grooming, the resilience it has taken to pursue justice, and the courage required to stand here today. Grooming didn’t just end in high school- it cast a shadow across decades. What could have made all the difference back then was protective education: someone stepping in.

For those who don’t know Sarah, her journey is remarkable. Once told by her perpetrator that she wasn’t capable of pursuing higher education, she is now a secondary school dance teacher- and today, the founder of Step in For Kids. Tonight was her very first public talk, a milestone moment that marks the transformation of a silenced teenage girl into a woman using her voice to protect others.

In 2024, after her court case concluded, Sarah was granted anonymity. She could have chosen to stay quiet and move forward privately. Instead, she chose courage. She named her perpetrator publicly in The Australian newspaper—not only to end the silence that had gripped her life, but to raise awareness of the insidious impacts of grooming. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to turn her pain into prevention. Tonight represents the next chapter in that journey.

I know Sarah’s courage will change lives. I always believed she would find her voice- and now that she has, she’s using it to ensure children have the protection she never did. Step in For Kids is more than an organisation. It’s a call to action.

Sarah presenting her keynote at Step in for Kids launch event.

If you’ve found your way here because you hold a role in safeguarding children, we invite you to explore our programs. Book a session for your workplace, conference, or community group. This is an issue that hides in plain sight, and change only happens when we confront it together. Be the person, organisation of community who steps in. Amanda.