It's a Penalty use sporting events to help raise awareness of child abuse ©It's a Penalty

The "It's a Penalty" (IAP) initiative, which works with sporting bodies and event hosts to highlight problems associated with child abuse, will have a presence at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters said he was pleased that the upcoming Games could provide an opportunity to increase awareness of IAP.

"IAP uses sporting events like the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games as platforms to share their message to unite through sport and encourage education and awareness to know the signs of child abuse and exploitation," he said.

"We signed a memo of understanding early this year to demonstrate our commitment to work with IAP and will provide them with opportunities, including in-venue video, information in media packs and support through our Gold Coast 2018 digital channels."

According to their website, IAP try to "harness the power of sport to prevent abuse, exploitation and trafficking of children".

Sarah de Carvalho, IAP's chief executive, added: "Our extensive efforts with Gold Coast 2018 and the Commonwealth Games Federation is invaluable for the work we are undertaking in 2018.

"From our experience with previous global sporting events, we know how crucial it is to educate, equip and encourage the public to stop more children becoming victims of sexual violence.

"We cannot thank the organisations enough for the support they have already shown and will continue to show in the build-up and then throughout the 11 days of world class sport."

Along with the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which begin on April 4, IAP will partner with the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Additionally, they have completed campaigns at the Rio 2016 Olympic Paralympic Games and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.