The convergence of a number of issues related to child protection in recent weeks has led more journalists than usual to the door of Hetty Johnston; vocal children’s rights advocate and founder of Bravehearts whose Google News search hits are sitting up around 700 at the moment.

If you weren’t previously aware of Ms Johnston and the focus of her foundation there is a good chance that you are now. Agree with her or not, in the past month in particular she has been hard to miss on the morning radio and evening current affairs circuit debating everything from what constitutes art, the speed of courts in sentencing on child p-rnography matters, the community release of convicted pedophile Dennis Ferguson in Queensland and the misconduct of priests.

In terms of gaining media attention it helps of course that the issues about which Ms Johnston is arguing are serious, complex and emotive. But she is a good example of just how much impact an organisation such as hers can have – she has a clear-cut position and argues it strongly, she is media savvy and makes herself available for comment and has carved out such a niche so that there is rarely a story on children’s issues in which she isn’t quoted.

She is currently also a member of Senator Conroy’s Consultative Working Group to improve Cyber-Safety and is likely to remain an influential voice in this realm for some time to come.