Few people know how easily a child can end up in danger as well as Nicole Beauman.
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The detective sergeant is part of ACT Policing's family violence team, and used to work in the sexual assault and child abuse team.
She's also a mother of two, giving her a perspective very few have on the ever-changing dangers children face today.
On Wednesday morning, Detective Sergeant Beauman took a different approach in her effort to keep our kids safe by running a half-marathon as part of the Canberra leg of the Bravehearts 777 Marathon.
She was one of 70 runners to hit the pavement on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin at 6am, with entrants able to choose a distance of 7, 14, 21 or 42 kilometres.
More than half were police officers from ACT Policing and the Australian Federal Police.
"For me, having worked in those areas and then becoming a mother, [child protection] is about making sure children have some self-awareness," Detective Sergeant Beauman said.
"No matter what you do, you unfortunately can’t always protect them.
"You need to arm your children with as much information and empowerment and you possibly can, so that if they ever end up in a situation, they might be able to prevent it themselves.
"Parents can’t always be there, which is a terrifying thing."
ACT Policing encourages parents to educate children on stranger danger by reminding them to let their parents know where they're going and if their plans change, to not walk around the streets alone, and not to approach cars if a stranger stops and asks questions.
Police also focus increasingly on cyber safety and urge parents to know when, where and how their children are using the internet, and ensuring they stay respectful, don't give out personal information or engage with people they don't know.
While Detective Sergeant Beauman is at the forefront of efforts to keep children safe, she stressed that everyone had a role to play.
She said charities like Bravehearts, which provides education, training and counselling in an attempt to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child, were vital.
Bravehearts also conducts research and lobbies for reform to prevent child sexual assault.
"We certainly can’t do our job alone," Detective Sergeant Beauman said.
"It’s very much a case of everyone [pitching] in, in terms of the support, training and awareness that can be provided around the country."
Bravehearts spokeswoman Kayleen Johnston said the Canberra leg of the Bravehearts 777 Marathon was "by far the biggest" in Australia.
The event is Australia's biggest charity run, with seven marathons in seven cities across seven days.
Canberra is the third stop, with 12 people running in all seven cities this year.
Ms Johnston said runners had already raised more than $150,000 nationwide, with the money to go towards Bravehearts' education and advocacy programs.
"This event is not just this amazing week or the money raised, but all the awareness that the runners generate leading up to the event and making people aware of who Bravehearts are and what we do," she said.
