Voices for Change: Evidence and innovation in supporting children experiencing family violence

Presenters:

• Dr Georginia Dimopoulos (Southern Cross University) with co-researchers and lived experience experts
• Emma Nugent (The Centre) and Stephanie O’Mally (Family Services Practitioner, Upper Murray Family Care)

Overview

The Centre, in partnership with No to Violence, Safe and Equal, and Sexual Assault Services Victoria, are collaborating to support better outcomes for family violence and sexual violence service users as well as family service providers. This project seeks to strengthen practice, identify data gaps and build an evidence base across our joint sectors. As part of this project, OPEN, along with our Peak partners will be hosting a series of events to share insights about innovative practice and programs to support children, young people and families experiencing family violence.  

The first event in a three-part series, featured two presentations that highlighted the expertise and voices of children and young people with experience in the family violence service system. This event also marked the launch of a new Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework, aimed at supporting professionals working in the child and family services sector in implementation of the framework.

Our first presenters shared key findings from the ‘Children’s Voices for Change’ research project, which aimed to improve the sector’s collective understanding of the diverse experiences of children affected by family violence and understand the effectiveness of services in meeting their needs. Young people and co-researchers on the project emphasised several impactful key messages.

Key Messages

1. Children’s Voices for Change: Insights and Impact on Addressing Family Violence – Dr Georginia Dimopoulos (Southern Cross University) with co-researchers and lived experience experts

• A considered approach should to be taken when including children and young people as co-researchers. Listening to children and young people’s views and needs should be taken into account in both service delivery and in research design, to accommodate safety and flexibility of approach
• The research highlighted key insights on how family violence service providers can effectively meet the specific needs of children and young people, and these findings were supported by the young people themselves
• Having a voice in research is empowering for young people, making them feel valued and involved, and it often turns out to be less intimidating than they might have anticipated.

2. Enhancing Collaboration and Recognising Children as Victim Survivors in Family Violence Services – Emma Nugent (The Centre) and Stephanie O’Mally (Family Services Practitioner, Upper Murray Family Care )

• The Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework provides professionals with the opportunity to recognise that children are seen and heard when assessing and managing family violence risk.
• Acknowledging children and young people as victim survivors in their own right ensures that professionals prioritise and provide the most suitable responses to ensure that their needs are met, and the risk of family violence is effectively managed.

Key Resources

Case Studies: Snapshot of Good Practice