Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has released a landmark report calling for better protection of children and young people from family, domestic and sexual violence.
The report comes as Australia is experiencing a devastating spike in femicide, with 14 women killed over a three-week period.
ANROWS launched the report titled In Their Own Right: Actions to Improve Childnre and Young People’s Safety from Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence on Wednesday to mark the UN’s World Children’s Day.
The report consolidated insights from more than 20 research reports and 130 policy recommendations, providing advocates, leaders and policymakers a clear roadmap to improve children’s safety.
Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, the CEO of ANROWS, said the experiences of children and young people in family and domestic violence too often remains “invisible” in policy and practice.
“This guide reminds us that they are not just ‘witnesses’ but victims and survivors in their own right,” Dr Boyd-Caine said. “Their voices, strengths, and needs must shape the systems designed to protect them.
“Ending violence requires us all to commit to policies that are informed by the lived realities of children and young people experiencing violence in their homes.”
ANROWS’ latest report highlighted the impacts of violence against children – not just the immediate harm they face, but also the long-term effects on their future relationships, education, health and wellbeing.
ANROWS are calling for a more tailored, prevention-first approach to enhance children and young people’s safety, including cultural-safe solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and trauma-informed care for diverse needs.
Harrison James, Evie Clayton and Conor Pall are victim-survivors of abuse and now advocates in the space. They have supported ANROWS’ call for meaningful reform in the way young people and children are protected from violence.
“Living with violence as a child affects every part of your life—your education, your friendships, and your ability to trust,” Harrison James said. “Policymakers need to stop overlooking us and start listening to us.”
“The systems meant to protect us often don’t understand what we need,” Evie Clayton said. This guide is a step towards real change and to take action from the publication we have to acknowledge the abuse and harm that had to occur to formulate it. This guide is more than just words, it’s generations of victims telling you how to do better.”
“This report highlights the unique risk factors children and young people experience, especially those navigating family violence alone,” Conor Pall said. “It’s a call for decision-makers to work with us, ensuring our voices drive the changes needed to address our unique response, healing and recovery needs.”
‘Sad, frustrated, angry’
According to Sherele Moody’s Australian Femicide Watch, 15 children and 85 women have been killed in Australia this year. In the last three weeks alone, 14 women have lost their lives.
On Wednesday, in the search for missing teenager Isla Bell, police discovered a body in a Melbourne tip, believed to be the remains of the 19-year-old. Police have charged two men in their 50s in relation to the discovery.
Tania Farha, CEO of Safe and Equal, said Isla’s death, and all deaths from gender-based violence, should never have happened.
“Yet again, another woman has lost her life, in what is an entirely preventable act of gender-based violence,” Farha said.
“We know young women are much more likely to experience family and sexual violence. Not only that, but support services have been telling us they are seeing more and more young people experiencing abuse and needing help.
“We are sad, frustrated and angry. Isla’s death – along with all family and gender-based violence deaths – should never have happened. This is a national crisis, and we need to act, now.”
Safe and Equal are calling on all governments in Australia to work together and prioritise an ongoing, sustainable response to gender-based violence, including increasing investment in early intervention and primary prevention strategies, long-term investment in specialist family violence services, addressing Australia’s housing crisis and more.
“This isn’t just a one-and-done exercise – change takes time and requires everybody to be on board. Not just government, but individuals, businesses, and the broader community,” Farha said.
“We must not accept these deaths as inevitable. We have to remember – family and gender-based violence is preventable. But if we don’t take increased action now – if we don’t get this right – we’ll never truly address this crisis, and more women and children will die.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) is a free, confidential online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.