CHILD Protection Week will make its mark in the Whitsundays this year with multiple activities planned by Whitsunday Crisis and Counselling Service.

High schools around the region have been invited to take part in an art competition that fits with the theme that "protecting children is everybody's business". The art is to be on the themes "listening to children is important to keep them safe" and "keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility".

Whitsunday Christian College, Proserpine State High School, Collinsville State High School and Bowen State High School will be taking part, with students given a blank canvas to work on.

The winning school will receive $1000 in art supplies and there will be individual prizes for winners in each year level from 7-10 including a ticket for two for Ocean Rafting.

WCCS counsellor Mandy Coles said the initiatives were all about raising awareness and prevention of child abuse.

"One child dies a week in Australia from child abuse and one in five are sexually abused. It's just not OK," she said. "The art competition is aimed at raising awareness and providing education to children in the community with the winners to be announced at the forum."

The week will culminate with an education forum at the WACC on September 9 with a range of professionals to speak on a variety of issues to do with child safety.

There will also be a screening of the film Inside Out for younger children on the night of the forum.

WCCS received funding from Child Protection Week Queensland to run the initiatives. Whitsunday Christian College acting principal Melissa Hanrahan said it was an important message to support.