‘Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure’ program in action at a local primary school | supplied with permission by Bravehearts
15 SEPTEMBER 2026. Every year, thousands of Australian children between the ages of 3 and 8 meet a lovable lion named Ditto — and learn skills that could protect them for life.
Ditto's Keep Safe Adventure Program (DKSA) is Bravehearts' flagship personal safety education program, delivered to early learning centres and lower primary schools as a fun, interactive live performance. Since launching in 2006, it's reached more than 1.6 million Australian children, making it one of the country's leading personal safety education programs for young kids.
How Ditto Teaches Safety
DKSA brings safety messages to life through storytelling, songs, and interactive games led by a specially trained presenter alongside Ditto the lion. It's designed to be non-confrontational and age-appropriate.
“It’s been great being able to use this wonderful mascot that’s so warm and inviting. He’s cheeky, but he creates this environment where we can get that really impactful message across to kids”
At the heart of the program are three simple, memorable rules:
We all have the right to feel safe with people — children learn they deserve to feel safe and secure wherever they live, play, and learn, and that no one has the right to make them do something that feels unsafe.
It's OK to say "NO" if you feel unsafe or unsure — kids are encouraged to be assertive and stand up for themselves when something doesn't feel right.
Nothing is so yucky that you can't tell someone about it — reinforcing that children should always feel safe speaking up.
These aren't abstract ideas — they're simple enough for a preschooler to remember and repeat, which is exactly the point.
Working Alongside Schools, Not Replacing Them
DKSA isn't meant to stand alone. It's designed to build on and reinforce the personal safety content already taught in early learning and primary curriculums, engaging kids through a live, immersive experience that's fundamentally different from classroom instruction. Teachers are also given structured follow-up resources, so the messages Ditto delivers on stage keep being reinforced after the show ends.
Why It Matters
More than half of child sexual abuse cases begin between the ages of 0 and 8 — precisely the age group DKSA is built to reach. Early, age-appropriate education like this is a genuine preventative tool for communities.
