Page 1909 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 23 June 2021
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Young people affected by family violence are working really hard all the time. They navigate situations that adults would find difficult.
We heard from young people that the service system, designed by and for adults, does not meet their needs. Sadly, it is exceedingly rare for young people to be directly consulted about their experiences of domestic and family violence. It is even rarer for them to be asked about what services and supports could help them.
We have changed this and now we must act. The insights from these consultations are informing new responses in the service sector and new ways of thinking about supporting young people. We are working with front-line workers in the youth sector to make sure that they can meet the expectations of young people. It is important that people working with children and young people directly can recognise and respond appropriately to those experiencing domestic and family violence.
In addition, we are embarking on work to build awareness of domestic and family violence amongst young people and direct them to the right supports, should they need them; increase the awareness across the community of how domestic and family violence impacts children and young people; and build the capacity of the sector to deliver responses to children and young people that recognise them as victims of domestic and family violence in their own right.
The effects of domestic and family violence on children and young people are profound and continue long after the violence has ended. The development and delivery of new and improved services is an ongoing priority for the ACT government.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Council recommended that government increase the number and availability of therapeutic services for children. They also stressed the need for clearer referral pathways.
The office for mental health has reviewed the services that support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. This has led to the development of an online youth navigation portal that will soon provide individualised online and phone services for young people to support them with their mental health and wellbeing. Friends, family and those who work with or support these young people will also be able to use the navigation portal. Young people living with family violence told us about the difficulties they face finding supports and services, and this portal should assist them to find this assistance more easily.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Council also recommended work with the ACT justice system to build momentum around children and young people affected by domestic and family violence. An ACT intermediary scheme has been established to assist children and young people from the initial point of police interview through to giving evidence at trial. Being supported throughout has the potential to improve children and young people’s experience of the justice system, while aiming to minimise any additional stress and trauma.
I would now like to share with you that the commitment to deliver domestic and family violence training to ACT government staff is making great progress. I am
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