Listening to Young People's Experience of Family Violence

Listening to young people’s experience of family violence

The Children and Young People Commissioner and the Family Safety Hub partnered to listen to young people’s experiences of domestic and family violence.

70 young people aged 13 to 24 shared their views or personal stories about living with family violence through in-depth interviews and group discussions.

Domestic and family violence is hard. It is hard to live with. It is hard to stop or prevent. And sometimes it is hard to hear and talk about. At the bottom of this page are some ways to find people you can talk to if you need help.

Young people’s needs are not being met

  • Domestic and family violence impacts all children and young people who live with it.
  • They do not need to be directly assaulted, or even present, to be affected.
  • Children and young people are victims in their own right, with their own recovery and support needs.
  • Children and young people are regularly overlooked or only considered as an add-on to their parent.

The views of young people are missing from the services we provide and the policies we design. In short, adults design policy and system responses that have failed to meet young people’s needs.

By listening to young people, we have generated key messages that will help the ACT Government, the service sector, and the community to improve support and services for children and young people affected by domestic and family violence.

Sharing what we heard

We are sharing what we heard with those who can bring about change. Because all children and young people have the right to be safe, and to get the help they need.

Young People’s Experiences of Family Violence Booklet (PDF 4MB)

Now You Have Heard Us, What Will You Do? Project Report (PDF 2 MB)

This video shows what young people told us. The video asks adults an important question – what can you do to make change for young people affected by domestic and family violence?

Do you want to talk or are you worried about someone you know?

These are some of the places you can try if you want to talk…

For young people:

It can be hard to find the right person to talk to about your experiences, get help with a situation you are currently in, or find help for a friend. Many young people have not been able to get the support they need and deserve.

We understand that things in your family may not change, or that it might take a long time until things are different.

We also know there are good people out there who are kind and get what you’re going through. If you want to try talking to someone, or get some advice, these organisations may be able to help:

If you are a child or a young person living in Canberra, and you have something you want to say or something you want to ask, or if you need help to get the support you need, you can call or send an email to Jodie Griffiths-Cook, the ACT Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner. She and her team are there to listen to and help children and young people in Canberra.

ACT Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner

P: (02) 6205 2222
E: ACTkids@act.gov.au

Or you can contact one of the organisations below.

CREATE Foundation

P: (02) 6232 2409
CREATE represents the voices of children and young people who are in, or who have lived in, out-of-home care. They also organise great ways for children and young people in care to have fun with each other and stay connected to their siblings.

Headspace

P: 1800 650 890
W: headspace.org.au
Headspace provides free and confidential telephone and online service for young people aged 12 to 25.

Junction Youth Health Service

P: (02) 6232 2423
Junction Youth Health Service provides free healthcare and support services to young people aged 12 to 25.

Kids Helpline

P: 1800 55 1800
W: kidshelpline.com.au
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.

Youth Beyond Blue

P: 1300 224 636
W: youthbeyondblue.com
Beyond Blue provides information and confidential telephone and online counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 who may be experiencing anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts.