Today is another wonderful episode examining a hidden issue – children and young people as family violence survivors. Often when we discuss family violence, they’re absent in our mind, if we imagine them at all, it’s often as extensions of the mother. But children and young people are often victim-survivors themselves, either witnessing family violence, or directly experiencing family violence.

Melbourne City Mission’s Amplify report, written with young people, examines where the law, regulation, our systems and our communities are failing young people. Interactions with policing, healthcare, housing and education systems should provide opportunities for help, but often they become another instance of harm for young people. I’m joined today by two experts who have been involved in the report, Shorna Moore and April.

Shorna is a social justice lawyer and advocate and is dedicated to driving positive social change for children and young people. She is currently the Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at Melbourne City Mission. Shorna brings almost 15 years’ experience in executive policy and advocacy roles across the community legal, youth and homelessness sectors and has led successful campaigns on issues including family violence and youth homelessness. Shorna also draws on her own lived experience of family violence, adding depth and understanding to her work.

April – a pseudonym – is a youth advocate passionate about changing community service systems so they work better for children and young people experiencing family violence. April has lived experience of family violence and works with children and young people experiencing family violence in her capacity as a peer worker and consultant. She’s also working with Melbourne City Mission and sits on the Victim Survivor’s Advisory Council as a rep for young survivors.

A note today, that as you may guess, this episode touches on difficult experiences, including suicide, sexual assault and family violence. Please stay close to your supports as you listen to this episode if you need.

Show notes

Amplify report: https://www.mcm.org.au/news/silent-victim-survivors-of-family-violence#:~:text=The%20report%2C%20titled%20Amplify%3A%20Turning,justice%20and%20mental%20health%20systems.